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MAJOR GENERAL 

ZACHAEY TAYLOR; 

WITH AN ACCOUNT OF HIS 

EARLY VICTORIES, 

AND 

BRILLIANT ACHIEVEMENTS IN MEXICO 

INCLUDING THE 

SIEGE OF MONTEREY 

AND 

BATTLE OF BUENA VISTA. 

ALSO SKETCHES OF 

MAJ RINGGOLD, MA... BROWN, COL. CROSS, CAPT. MONTGOMERY 

CAPT. MAY, CAPT. WALKER, LIEUTS. RIDGELEY, 

BLAKE, JORDAN, etc. 

BY 

C. FRANK POWELL. 

AUTHOR OF " DHOONDIAH," ETC. 
ILLUSTRATED WITH A PORTRAIT OF GENERAL TAYLOR. 

NEW-YORK: 

D APPLETON & COMPANY, 200 BROADWAY. 

PHILADELPHIA-GEO. S. APPLETON, 148 CHESNUT-ST. 

1847. 



-Tag 






Entered, according to the Act of Congress, in the year 1846, 

By D. APPLETON & COMPANY, 

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United siates for the Southern 

District of New York. 



PREFACE, 



The author of the " Life and Times of Louis Phi- 
lippe," says in his preface, " The desire that is implanted 
in the human breast, of approaching those who have 
filled distinguished parts in the theatre of human ac- 
tion — those who have secured the highest pedestals in 
the pantheon of political fame — those who have ac- 
quired a memorable name by the exercise of personal 
authority over a large portion of their fellow-creatures, 
will forever give to biography a high moral influence, 
and an interest superior to any that general history can 
excite. Time intervenes to remove us from a familiar 
intercourse with the greatest characters — space also pro- 
duces a similar separation, but, the evil of both cases has 
found its remedy in the truthful and laborious produc- 
tions of impartial writers." 

These remarks are applicable to the biography before 
us, the latter being representative of the career and 
actions of an individual who has occupied a large space 
in his country's history and affections, and which actions 
should form an interesting and useful portion of our 
political knowledge. Neither can we imagine a task 
that partakes more of the nature of a duty than that 
of commemorating, in a substantial form, the services 
rendered by an individual to his country, especially when 
those services are of a marked and valuable character; 



PREFACE. 



both for the incentive, which is the effect of example, 
and as an act of justice. 

As it has been our aim to give a truthful presentation 
of all important matters connected with the career of 
the distinguished subject of these pages, so has it been 
our endeavor to do justice to all concerned in the 
events of which they treat. 

The sources from which the material is drawn are 
authentic, and we are not conscious that partiality or 
predilection has exercised an influence in its authorship 
or compilation. As the object has been to make it a 
national work, and one of permanency, no class or 
party has been favored at the expense of another. 

C. F. P. 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER I. 

Page. 
Nativity of General Taylor. — Education. — His Youth. — Qualities of Mind, etc. — 

Physical Powers. — Joins the Army. — Promoted. — Heroic Defence of Fort Har- 
rison. — Promoted. — In Florida. — Battle of Okee-cho-bee. — Placed at Head of 
Army in Florida. — Resigns. — Takes Command of Second Department 7 

CHAPTER II. 

General Taylor called to Texas. — Object of the Expedition. — The Policy. — Gen- 
eral Taylor's Position. — Innuendo repelled — General Taylor's grand Plan. — 
Its consummation. — General Survey of the Ground. — Critical Extract 13 

CHAPTER IIL 

General Taylor continued. — Critical examination of the Battle*" of the 8th ?.nd 
9th May. — The Light-Artillery Arm. — Investigation of the Causes of these 
Victories. — Demonstrations of Approbation. — President confers a Brevet. — 
Resolutions and Sword of Louisiana and Tennessee. — Thanks of Congress. 
General Taylor's Talents as a Military Man and General. — Qualities of 
Heart. — Personal Appearance. — Rough and Ready. — His Dress. — Character- 
istic Anecdote. — Political Opinions. — Habits, etc 19 

CHAPTER IV. 

Captain Taylor in 1812. — His gallant defence of Fort Harrison. — His attempt 
to send dispatches to Governor Harrison. — Colonel Russel with his Rangers.... 30 

CHAPTER V 

General Taylor's Expedition to the Prophet's Town. — Promotion to Major. — Re- 
pairs to Florida. — Battle of Okee-cho-bee 36 

CHAPTER VI. 

Battle of Okee-cho-bee concluded. — Effect'of this Battle. — Colonel Taylor given 
in Command of Posts. — Promotion. — Takes Command of Army in Florida. — 

s. — Ordered to Texas 42 



CONTENTS. 
CHAPTER VII. 



Page. 
Major Ringgold. — His Nativity. — Joins General Scott's Staff. — Enters Service 

as Lieutenant. — Went to Fort Moultrie. — Assigned to Company C. — Forms 

new Company. — The Flying Artillery. — Ordered to Texas. — His services in 

the Battle of Palo Alto. — Is wounded. — His Death. — Remarks of a Baltimore 

Editor. — Eulogy of a Philadelphia Editor and Judge of Court 50 



CHAPTER VIII. 

Major Brown. — Colonel Cross, and Captain Walker. — Captain Mont- 



gomery 



56 



CHAPTER IX. 

Captain C. A. May. — Lieutenant Randolph Ridgley 65 

CHAPTER X. 

Movements of the Army of Occupation from Corpus Christi. — All Matters con- 
nected with the Campaign to the time of the Enemy's crossing the Rio Grande. 
— Letter of General Taylor 71 

CHAPTER XI. 

Captain Thornton's Expedition. — Principal Events to the Leaving of General 
Taylor for Point Isabel. — Bombardment of Fort Brown 77 

CHAPTER XII. 
Battle of Palo Alto 82 

CHAPTER XIII. 
Battle of Resaca de la Palma 88 

CHAPTER XIV. 

Incidents of Personal Valor. — Lieut. Gordon. — Lieut. Blake. — Captain Lowd. 
— Names of Officers from New York State 94 



Or uxjnxiitAu IAI LUft. 



CHAPTER I. 

iNuiivity of General Taylor. — Education.— His Youth. — Qualities of Mind, 

Physical Powers. — Joins the Army. — Promoted. — Heroic Defence of Fort nam- 
eon.— Promoted.— In Florida.— Battle of Okee-cho-bee.— Placed at Head of Army 
in Florida. — Resigns. — Takes Command of Second Department. 

The subject of this sketch has been distinguished in his profes- 
sion as an officer in the United States Army for more than thirty- 
years ; but recently circumstances have ushered him most bril- 
liantly, and with overwhelming triumph, before the American people. 
Thirty-four years ago his military talents were put to the test on 
a fearful and trying occasion, when assailed by wild savages in 
numbers twenty times his own, and were found to be of a superior 
order and adequate to the emergency requiring almost superhu- 
man abilities. Again his valor and military genius exhibited them- 
selves in a bold and difficult achievement, executed with a great 
disparity of force and inferior advantages of position, and they 
redounded to his own honor and the glory of his country. But 
what shall be the measure of commendation, the meed of grati- 
tude, or limit of wonder and admiration to be rendered for the glo- 
rious and unparalleled triumphs of our arms on the Rio Grande 
through the guidance of the same master spirit ? 

Zachary Taylor was born in Orange county, Virginia, in 
1790. He is son of Colonel Richard Taylor, who emigrated from 
Virginia about 1792, and settled near Louisville. His father was 
a man of good parts, and held several responsible stations under 
government. Zachary, together with his elder brother, Hancock, 
received the rudiments of his education from a private tutor, named 



8 LIFE OF GENERAL TAYLOR. 

Elisha Ayres, a native of Connecticut, and a man of exemplary 
habits, sterling moral character, and peculiarly well calculated to 
instruct the juvenile mind, and mould it for future usefulness. He 
received Zachary under his charge at the age of six years, and at 
that time Colonel Richard was collector of the port of Louisville. 
Mr. Ayres is still living, upwards of seventy years of age, and re- 
sides in his native town of Preston, in the vicinity of Norwich, 
Connecticut. He takes pleasure in recounting anecdotes of Colonel 
Richard and his family, and particularly of Zachary, as he still calls 
him. 

He represents his former pupil to have been a bright scholar, 
possessing an active and inquisitive mind, studious in his habits, 
though of sanguine temperament, apt, yet having depth, and prom- 
ising most fair for a career of usefulness in the walks of life. He 
had mental qualities of judgment, contemplativeness, stability, and 
shrewdness not often found in youth, and far above his years. But 
a peculiar trait was firmness, not always attendant on an ardent 
temperament, and which, in such a connection, has been found to 
be an important characteristic in the soldier. Sudden and warm 
impulses produce grand achievements when occasion offers, and 
when properly directed by the concomitants of judgment and firm- 
ness ; and though bravery may exist in an eminent degree, a phleg- 
matic temperament is calculated to restrain the exercise of it at a 
time when it might lead to glorious results. No one can be an 
adventuring and brilliant soldier without enthusiasm in his love of 
country and patriotism, and to which a predisposition to indolence, 
particularly of mind, is discouraging. Though we are no eulogist 
of juvenile precocity, we think we perceive in these traits, as rep- 
resented, the budding of a character which has been developed to 
the honor of our arms and credit of the republic. 

Anecdotes of the subject of this brief memoir are related, one of 
which, regarding his physical energies as well as love of excite- 
ment, is his having swum across the Ohio river at Louisville — a 
feat, though almost incredible, yet well attested to. His life has ever 
been an active one, and in youth he mingled much with the sports 
and amusements of the time, exercised his bodily powers in per- 
forming feats of strength and difficulty, the accomplishment of 



LIFE OF GENERAL TAYLOR. 9 

which would often excite the wonder and applause of friends and 
rivalry of others. It is related that, in his youthful days, he mani- 
fested a great fondness for every thing connected with military, 
and looked forward, with great anxiety, to the day when he should 
become a soldier, or belong, in some capacity, to the army. With 
this view, even before he commenced a course of rigid tactical in- 
struction, he might be seen alone, or with his comrades, practising 
the different evolutions of a company drill with as much gravity 
and emulation as though under orders before an enemy, or going 
through the manual exercise with the sang froid of an accom- 
plished ' fugleman.' 

At the age of eighteen he entered the United States Army, as a 
lieutenant in the seventh regiment of infantry, immediately after 
the British attack upon the frigate Chesapeake, and remained at 
different posts in the west until the commencement, and through 
the war of 1812. He was promoted to the rank of captain previ- 
ous to the breaking out of hostilities, and was engaged in active 
service under Governor Shelby in his native state, or in Indiana, 
against the Indians that were constantly committing depredations 
on our infant settlements, and spreading death and destruction 
through this part of the country. 

In the latter part of 1812, Captain Taylor was invested with the 
command of Fort Harrison, in Indiana, a small, not strongly de- 
fended fort, and situated in the heart of a country inhabited by the 
Miami's, or Weas, and other hostile savages. In September of 
that year a fierce attack was made on the fort by a large body of 
the Prophet's party. The principal defences consisted of an upper 
and lower blockhouse, and a fort with two bastions ; but at this 
time not more than twenty effective men could be mustered in the 
garrison, the rest being sick, convalescent, or d'isabled, and of 
these, in the crisis that tried the soul of the commander, two of the 
stoutest jumped the pickets and deserted. The details of this san- 
guinary assault and valiant defence are given in a subsequent 
chapter. 

The bravery, skill, and shrewdness displayed by Captain Taylor 
while in command of this post inspired his comrades and his 
country with confidence in his superior abilities as an officer. The 

2 



10 LIFE OF GENERAL TAYLOR. 

defence he made, to which we have alluded, under the trying diffi- 
culties of fire, a savage foe, and desertion, was sufficient to estab- 
lish his reputation as an officer and soldier of the most sterling 
qualities. Major-general Hopkins, in his dispatch to Governor 
Shelby, says : " The firm and almost unparalleled defence of Fort 
Harrison by Captain Z. Taylor has raised for him a fabric of 
character not to be effaced by my eulogy.''' 

For Captain Taylor's gallantry on this occasion, President Madi- 
son conferred upon him the rank of major by brevet, and this is 
said to be the oldest brevet in the army. 

Not long subsequent to this, Major Taylor went on an expedi- 
tion against the Prophet's town and the Winnebago town, under 
General Hopkins. These, together with a Kickapoo village on 
Ponse Passu creek, were destroyed. Major Taylor was very 
active in these operations, and in commending the officers in his 
dispatch, General Hopkins says: "And also to Captain Z. Tay- 
lor, of the 7th United States regiment, for a prompt and efficient 
support in every instance." 

After the close of the war, Major Taylor shifted his position, but 
remained in the west the greater portion of the time for several 
years, removing from post to post as the interest of the service 
called him. When the war in Florida broke out, he was called 
thither. In the mean time he had been promoted to the rank of 
colonel." 1 He was at the head of the first brigade, quartered at 
Fort Gardner, south of the Withlacochee, when he proceeded 
against the Seminoles and Mickasukies, under Alligator and Sam 
Jones, and had the desperate struggle with these forces at Okee- 
cho-bee. The particulars of this battle will also be found in these 
pages. 

Colonel Taylor had received a challenge from the Seminole 
chief, Alligator, to come on, which the colonel accepted instanter. 
The Indians had selected a strong position, in a thick swamp, cov- 
ered in front by a small stream, whose quicksands rendered it 
almost impassable. A breastwork, composed of the growth of 
a hammock, thickly interwoven, concealed and partly protected the 
Indians in front, their flanks being secured by impassable swamps. 
Sam Jones and Coa-coo-chee were behind these barriers with 



LIFE OF GENERAL TAYLOR. 11 

Alligator and seven hundred of their tribes, true marksmen, every 
man. 

Colonel Taylor approached them with about five hundred men, 
regulars and Missouri volunteers, under Colonel Gentry. They 
passed the stream, sinking to their middle in mire, mounted the 
breastwork, and fought hand to hand, the Indians disputing every 
inch of ground. After a most sanguinary engagement of three 
hours, the enemy was driven from his post, and Colonel Taylor 
gained a most complete and brilliant victory. 

The loss, however, on both sides was great. The gallant Colo- 
nels Gentry and Thompson, Captain Van Swearingen, and Lieu- 
tenants Carter and Brook, fell at the heads of their command. 
During the whole engagement Colonel Taylor remained on horse- 
back, passing from point to point, cheering his men to the conflict, 
and exposed to the Indian rifle at every moment. 

For this achievement the president conferred on Colonel Taylor 
the brevet rank of brigadier-general. 

General Taylor represented this as " the most trying scene of his 
life ;" but he was destined to encounter one equally hazardous on 
the Rio Grande, and from which he emerged, if possible, with 
greater honor to his name. 

General Taylor now established himself at Fort Basenger, on 
the Kissimmee. He had now been transferred to the first infantry, 
and it becoming necessary to establish posts about Tampa Bay 
and along the eastern coast, Mr. Poinsett, then Secretary of War, 
recommended to Major-general Jessup that General Taylor be 
placed in command of thern. 

In the fore part of 1839 Major-general Jessup was ordered to 
the seat of government to resume the duties of Quartermaster- 
general, and the command of the army in Florida was given to 
General Taylor. In the mean time peace had been proclaimed, 
and the duties of the commander were far from being onerous ; 
he was relieved in 1840 by Erigadier-general Armistead, after four 
years at least of indefatigable service in the swamps and hammocks 
of that unhealthy country. 

General Taylor was next assigned the command of the second 
department, which was in the year following, and repaired to his 



12 LIFE OF GENERAL TAYLOR. 

head-quarters at Fort Gibson, on the Arkansas. On his way, he 
was offered a public dinner at Little Rock, by the citizens of that 
place, as a token of esteem for his " meritorious services in Flo- 
rida," but declined on account of haste to assume command. The 
first department of the army, including the states of Louisiana, 
Mississippi, &c, was next given to his command, and he repaired 
to Fort Jessup, where the order to assume command of the " Army 
of Observation" reached him. 



LIFE OF GENERAL TAYLOR. 13 



CHAPTER II. 

General Taylor called to Texas.— Object of the Expedition.— The Policy.— General 
Taylor's Position.— Innuendo repelled— General Taylor's grand Plan.— Its consum- 
mation.— General Survey of the Ground.— Critical Extract 

We have thus briefly hinted at some of the leading events in the 
life of this accomplished and successful general, up to the period 
he was called to the command of our forces about to proceed to 
Texas, a more minute detail of which appears in the regular order 
of the narrative. The object of this expedition, it is well known, 
was to invest that territory lying between the Rio Nueces and the 
Rio Grande or Bravo del Norte, a tract of land claimed to belong to 
Texas, and by the articles of annexation made over to the United 
States. We shall not make it our province to question the policy 
of taking forcible possession of a territory known to be held in dis- 
pute by two free and independent republics ; but nothing is clearer 
than that the commander of the American forces but complied with 
implicit instructions of the Department, which were his guarantee 
and justification. 

We cannot say that neutrality would have been preserved had 
possession not been taken, and it would seem that the acquisition 
of the republic — but in equal part interested in the dispute — by a 
third power did not change the position of affairs, or authorize such 
power to invest the territory. Be this as it may, however, on the 
28th of March, 1846, the United States army took up its quarters 
opposite Matamoras, and planted the United States flag in the an- 
cient department of Tamaulipas. 

The position which General Taylor selected is adjudged to be 
the most favorable. His force, there can be no doubt, was entirely 
inadequate to the position which he assumed ; censure cannot find 
a resting place, however, on the commander-in-chief for this error, 
if so it was. As a fearless and ready soldier, he repaired to the 
place assigned him, with the means furnished to his hands. If 
there was an error in judgment, in the department, it became too 
late to repair it by the commander, if he felt so disposed, when his 



14 LIFE OF GENERAL TAYLOR. 

observation led him to perceive it. It was also entirely problemati- 
cal, whether the Mexicans would take upon themselves the office 
of ejecting our troops from the soil thus invested ; but, more than 
this, the probabilities were that they would not. These probabili- 
ties amounted to nearly certainty, judging from the unstable state 
of the government of that republic, their civil dissensions, and the 
dispersed and disaffected state of their troops ; and no doubt had 
their influence with the department in determining the amount of 
force to be sent. 

Still, the assuming a hostile position — for such it is fair to term 
it, since it was not proposed to preserve neutrality simply, and one 
portion of those interested and engaged in the dispute of the soil 
were not only admitted, but took active part in the occupation — 
without the presence of a sufficient force to maintain it in any con- 
ceivable emergency, seems to us an oversight, to say the least, that 
might have resulted in dishonor to our arms. What then do we 
owe to the commander and those valorous spirits who fought their 
way, hand to hand, against an opposing force double their number, 
through a dilemma of an appalling nature in which they had been 
involved, to a brilliant and triumphant victory ! 

A writer remarks of General Taylor, in allusion to the subject — 
" If he erred in his estimate of the forces which the Mexicans could 
bring to assault the position which government had ordered him to 
take upon the Rio Bravo, and if, owing to that error, he allowed 
the army under his command to be placed in great peril, as well 
as his munitions, provisions, and his line of intercourse with the 
ultimate resources on which the army was to rely, — if General 
Taylor allowed all these to be placed in great peril, it at least 
afforded him an opportunity of exercising and exhibiting the highest 
military genius in extricating himself from all those difficulties." 

The hypothesis conveyed above, as furnishing evidence of a want 
of foresight in the American commander, as well as ground for in- 
nuendo or oblique censure, (we think unmeant,) is entirely imagi- 
nary. General Taylor was well informed as to the amount of 
Mexican force on the frontier when he arrived there, a large portion 
of which had previously advanced to meet him headed by General 
Mejia, the commander at Matamoras ; and which force was esti- 



LIFE OF GENERAL TAYLOR. 15 

mated at about two thousand soldiers and five hundred rancheros, 
under Mejia, Garcia, La Vega, and Laveriego. Upon arriving at 
Point Isabel, General Taylor set about establishing permanent 
defences for the protection of his stores, proceeded to the site op- 
posite Matamoras, which he designated for the head-quarters of 
the army, and placed nearly two-thirds of his army at once in 
erecting fortifications, and constructing means of defence, not for 
present emergency, but with the view of rendering his position 
impregnable against an anticipated force far more formidable. 
The expedition with which he prosecuted this labor, the permanent 
character of the work, at least the effort used with the facilities to 
give it this character, and the care manifested in the disposition of 
the brigades, speak as to the presentiments of the commanding 
general. 

At length, in twelve days after his reaching this point, the ex- 
pected force arrived. General Arista entered Matamoras with two 
hundred cavalry, leaving an army of from two to three thousand 
behind him, soon to arrive. Was General Taylor alarmed ? There 
is no evidence of it. Did he call for volunteers at that moment ? 
By no means. Could he have " erred" — quoting from the above 
paragraph — " in his estimate of the forces which the Mexicans 
could bring to assault his position ?" It seems he did not. He 
states in his communication of the 15th of April, that Ampudia's 
force, soon expected to Matamoras, was variously estimated at 
from two to three thousand, besides the two hundred cavalry he 
had with him. This estimate, compared with subsequent accounts, 
and the known number of Arista's command — that general having 
assumed the place of Ampudia — at Palo Alto, is found to have 
been nearly correct. 

General Taylor, then, was aware of the force to be brought against 
him, and looked calmly on, because he felt secure in his position. 
The following few lines from his dispatch to the department, sets 
the matter on this point at rest. 

" Notwithstanding the alternative of war presented by Ampudia" — 
this general had, upon his arrival at Matamoras to take command, 
notified the American commander to withdraw within twenty-four 
hours with his forces, and retire beyond the Nueces — " no hostile 



16 LIFE OF GENERAL TAYLOR. 

movement has yet been made by his force. Whemer he will feel 
strong enough to attempt any thing when all his force shall arrive, 
is very doubtful. Our brigades occupy strong positions, beyond 
reach of the fire from town, and can hold themselves against many 
times their number of Mexican troops. In the mean time our de- 
fences here and at Point Isabel are daily gaining strength. The 
latter point is well supplied with artillery, and is in a good condi- 
tion to resist attack." 

No alarm is manifested here, no volunteers are called for or aid 
demanded ; yet this is four days after the arrival of Ampudia, and 
three subsequent to the menacing notice of that general. The 
same dispatch, however, contains the following : " I shall author- 
ize the raising of two companies of Texan mounted men for service 
in this quarter, particularly for the purpose of keeping open our 
communication with Point Isabel, and relieving the regular cavalry 
of a portion of their duties, which are now oppressive." 

We have taken some pains to reply, though briefly, to the con- 
structive imputation conveyed in the paragraph we have quoted, 
which represents General Taylor as having " allowed the army 
under his command to be placed in great peril," the more as that 
article appears as original in the most valuable register in this 
country. Now take a broad glance of all matters connected with 
the management of the " Army of Occupation," the present desig- 
nation, and see whether a perfect system for maintaining the honor 
of our arms is not manifest, the operations of which have led to the 
happiest and most glorious results. The commanding general 
finds himself at Corpus Christi with two regiments of infantry and 
the second dragoons ; and on the border of the enemy's country, 
with a force that cannot be immediately increased. He hears of 
an opposing force, certainly much larger than his own, meditating 
an attack. He surveys his ground, his resources, his position with 
regard to his stores, and the general alternative to which he is 
driven. Two points must be defended. The probably first move- 
ment of the enemy will be to intercept the communication between 
his depot of stores and camp, and the capture of the first-named. 
His works opposite Matamoras are completed, and so constructed 
that five hundred men will maintain them against the direction of 



LIFE OF GENERAL TAYLOR. 17 

even the whole of the opposing force. He can withdraw with the 
balance of his army, about two thousand two hundred men, repair 
to Point Isabel, and maintain that post against an attack, or return 
with munitions and supplies, which were greatly needed in camp. 
A portion of the enemy's force must necessarily be employed in 
reducing Fort Brown, while the balance might be attacked by 
General Taylor in person, if concentrated at Point Isabel, or inter- 
posed between the two points. 

He sets out according to his plan, leaving Major Brown with five 
or six hundred men to defend the works. He meets with no oppo- 
sition on the route. As predicted, the bombardment of the fort 
commenced upon its being ascertained by the enemy that the prin- 
cipal part of the American force had left. General Taylor arrives 
at Point Isabel, where he remains until satisfied that no attack on 
that post is meditated, learning, in the mean time, that all is safe 
at Fort Brown, then commences his return with his munitions and 
stores. He meets the enemy in large numbers, fairly engages 
with them, comes out victorious in two sanguinary battles, drives 
him from the soil across the Rio Grande, and his army receives 
their supplies, and the intercourse with the depot is amply secured. 

Who can imagine a more beautiful working of a grand system, 
a magnificent plan ? — more glorious results, even with superior ad- 
vantages, much less in an emergency ? Here was displayed the 
highest military genius, and the hero of Palo Alto and Reseca de 
la Palma/has conferred on Iris country an obligation that time 
should scarcely efface. " So far as we have been able to distin- 
guish and have capacity to judge," says a writer, speaking of these 
events, and whose views vary slightly from our own, " no officer, 
placed under the circumstances in which he found himself, could 
have acted with more coolness, prudence, or courage than General 
Taylor displayed upon this occasion. Not so fastidious of his own 
reputation as to endanger the safety and comfort of his command 
for one moment unnecessarily by concealing the danger to which 
he found them exposed, or rashly to risk the issue of a now very 
doubtful contest to those forces which had heretofore been consid- 
ered ample for the occasion, he very prudently summoned the 
neighboring states to his assistance, apprizing fully of the necessity 

3 



18 LIFE OF GENERAL TAYLOR. 

of prompt movement, and yet, while wisely providing for contin- 
gencies, his own measures were taken as though no dependence 
was to be placed upon such assistance arriving in time, as in fact 
it did not, to save him from having so large odds to contend with. 
If there be one plume which General Taylor has won in this affair 
which is entitled to more commendation than all others, it was this 
proof of the highest qualifications for a commander, to which we 
have just alluded. 

" It is gratifying, however, to him and his countrymen that his 
own resources were found sufficient for the occasion. To him it 
must be gratifying, because, if honors were to be won, ' the Army 
of Occupation,' men and officers, were fairly entitled to the honor 
of winning and wearing them ; and it is truly gratifying to his 
countrymen to observe and acknowledge how gallantly they have 
won, and how gracefully they wear those honors." 



LIFE OF GENERAL TAYLOR. 19 



CHAPTER III. 

General Taylor continued. — Critical examination of the Battles of the 8th and 9th 
May. — The Light Artillery Arm. — Investigation of the Causes of these Victories. — 
Demonstrations of Approbation. — President confers a Brevet. — Resolutions and 
Sword of Louisiana and Tennessee. — Thanks of Congress. — General Taylor's 
Talents as a Military Man and General. — Qualities of Heart. — Personal Ap- 
pearance. — Rough and Ready. — His Dress. — Characteristic Anecdote. — Political 
Opinions. — Habits, etc. 

The details of the battles on the Rio Grande will be found in 
another place, and we had intended the reader of this edition should 
be left to analyze them, and form his own opinion as to the magni- 
tude of the victories. But finding a critical examination at hand, 
and so exactly suited to our mind, we cannot refrain from giving it 
almost entire in these pages ; the more especially as from its appear- 
ing originally in the Courier and Enquirer newspaper, we should 
presume it penned by Colonel Webb himself, which places its au- 
thority and value beyond question. It assumes the stand that these 
victories are unparalleled, and that record furnishes no instances of 
such glorious achievements under similar circumstances. We have 
never seen the critical examination to which the writer alludes. 

The writer of this paper, after quoting the concluding portions 
of General Taylor's reports of the two battles, wherein the general 
states the amount of his own and the enemy's force and loss in 
killed and wounded, says : 

" We have made the above extracts, with a view of examining 
somewhat more critically, the gallant affairs of the 8th and 9th of 
May, to demonstrate the leading cause of those extraordinary victo- 
ries, and to sustain the position we assumed immediately after the 
receipt of the intelligence of these battles, that they were the most 
gallant affairs on record, and that in modern times, never had such 
victories been obtained by any army opposed to such fearful odds — 
both armies consisting of disciplined troops ! We did not put forth 
this declaration without reflection ; it has frequently been the sub 
ject of discussion ; it has drawn forth criticism and a critical exam 



20 LIFE OF GENERAL TAYLOR. 

ination ; and we still contend that it is not only strictly accurate, 
but that even those most disposed to underrate the services of our 
little army, cannot gainsay it. 

" General Taylor, in his peculiarly modest manner, says — ' It is 
probable six thousand men were opposed to us, [1700,] and in a 
position selected by themselves, and strongly defended with artil- 
lery.' The whole tenor of the general's dispatches, proves an 
anxious desire not to overrate the numbers opposed to him or the 
character of his victories ; and the concurrent testimony of the 
officers of both armies, leaves no question that on the 9th of May, 
the enemy had actually engaged, upwards of seven thousand troops, 
or more than four times the number opposed to them ; and it is 
equally certain, that their loss greatly exceeded in killed, wounded, 
and missing, one thousand. General Taylor accounts for four 
hundred buried by our troops in the two actions ; and Colonel 
Twiggs, in a letter now before us, says, ' we find in the hospitals 
at Matamoras three hundred and eighty-two wounded soldiers and 
several officers, and very many wounded accompanied the retreat- 
ins; army.' This, it must be borne in mind, was on the 18th of 
May — nine days after the battle ; and an officer writes that the 
number buried at Matamoras between the 9th and 18th must have 
been several hundred. Our conviction is, that in the two engage- 
ments the enemy's loss was nearer two than one thousand ; and this 
fact is very material, as demonstrating the character of the Mexican 
troops, and proving that an army seldom fought better. They did 
not retreat on the night of the 8th, nor even on the 9th, until at 
least one-seventh of their whole army had been either killed or 
wounded ; or, in other words, until our army had rendered liors du 
combat a number exceeding one-half of our whole army. 

" These facts prove that the Mexicans fought bravely. It is ad- 
mitted on all hands, that they were admirably disciplined, the flower 
of the Mexican army — and composed of officers and men who had 
been engaged in battle after battle, and had nobly earned for them- 
selves the title of veterans. This army, commanded, as has been 
said, by one of the most gallant and accomplished artillery officers 
of the age, (Arista,) selected its position, and arranged at leisure its 
line of defence, composed of three batteries of artillery supported 



LIFE OF GENERAL TAYLOR. 21 

by five thousand infantry and two thousand cavalry — whose boast 
is, that they are the best cavalry in the world ; and that they are 
brave, daring, and the best horsemen on the continent, is fully ad- 
mitted. Thus posted, this army is assailed by the American army 
only one-fourth as strong. General Taylor reports that its artillery, 
with the exception of Ringgold's and Duncan's eight pieces of light 
artillery, was parked with his immense baggage train and provi- 
sions a great distance in the rear, and was only employed in pur- 
suing the enemy after he had been completely routed. Thus then, 
the naked fact is presented to the consideration of the country, that 
our army attacked the Mexicans ' strongly posted in a position 
selected by themselves.' The forces thus posted and assailed, 
were composed of veterans, disciplined troops, four times as numer- 
ous as their assailants, with a heavier train of artillery, and nearly 
five times as many cavalry ! They fought bravely for three hours ; 
lost one-seventh of their whole number ; and then were literally dis- 
persed by the bayonets of our troops— throwing their muskets at 
our men in the spirit of desperation, and swearing that they were 
devils incarnate ! 

" Such was the battle of Resaca de la Palma, and such, too, was 
that of Palo Alto on the day preceding it. To judge of this achieve- 
ment and compare it with European battles, we need only ask our- 
selves, on what occasion have eighty thousand disciplined troops 
strongly posted, in position selected by themselves, been driven 
from that position, routed and cut to pieces, by twenty thousand ? 
When and where, did any army thus conquer, rout and completely 
disperse, four times its number of brave and disciplined troops, 
who fought in a manner which, under ordinary circumstances, enti- 
tled them to victory ? When such affairs can be found in modern 
history, we will yield to them the palm. But we know that there 
are no such battles on record ; and we desire to impress upon our 
countrymen, that our little army under General Taylor has achieved 
for itself a reputation, such as no other army has ever won in .mod- 
ern times, and the scene of which will hereafter be referred to as 
another Thermopylae" 

The writer goes on further to state the causes which produced 
these victories, and the position which he has taken seems to be 



22 LIFE OF GENERAL TAYLOR. 

fully sustained. For our own part, we feel inclined to add our 
opinion that to one particular arm of the service may be attributed 
a large share of the execution that crowned the result of those me- 
morable days with success. The splendid corps of light artillery, 
directed by their fearless and disciplinarian commanders, dealt death 
among the ranks of the enemy with a double hand. Their expe- 
ditious advances, their strategic manoeuvres, their unlimbering with 
the speed of lightning, and the deadly aim of their ordnance, spread 
confusion, terror, and destruction through dense columns to which 
their operations were directed. There was no evasion of this ter- 
rible arm except in flight ; no approach to its batteries but with 
immense loss. 

The writer goes on : — 

" Now a few words as to the causes which produced these two 
victories. We said on the 12th of May, when apprehensions were 
very general for the fate of our army, we felt very certain, that be- 
fore that day, General Taylor had met and dispersed the entire 
force of the enemy, if it was not more than four times as great as 
his own ! We said that this opinion was based upon a knowledge, 
that no disciplined troops ever yet abandoned their officers ; that 
we knew our old comrades well, knew of what material they were 
composed — what West Point had made them — and that they would 
never yield or retreat. We knew that every officer in that little 
army, was prepared for victory or death ; and that such being the 
case, and knowing their men were disciplined and would certainly 
stand by them, we felt that victory was inevitable, unless the op- 
posing force was so great as to forbid its possibility ; in which case 
our whole army would be cut to pieces — selling their lives dearly, 
but never yielding. And such, too, would have been their conduct, 
and such the result of this affair, if the opposing force had been 
English instead of Mexican. 

" To this gallantry and determination on the part of our officers, 
we are indebted for the glorious achievements of the 8th and 9th 
of May ; and an examination into the killed and wounded, very 
certainly demonstrates this fact. When in order of battle, the off! 
cers are always posted with a view to their greater security, as they 
are required to conduct the battle. Thus the company officers are 



LIFE OF GENERAL TAYLOR. 23 

immediately in the rear of their men in line of battle, and the field 
and staff, still further in the rear ; and it is admitted to be a sound 
calculation, that when the proportion of officers to the rank and file 
is as one to twenty, the proportion of killed and wounded should 
be one officer to every forty of the rank and file, owing to the 
greater security of their position, intended to preserve their lives. 
Now let us apply this calculation to the battle of Resaca de la Palma. 

" In that ever memorable affair, the proportion of officers to the 
rank and file, was as one to thirteen ; and therefore, according to 
European calculation, the proportion of killed and wounded, should 
have been one to twenty-six. Now what are the facts ? The total 
of killed and wounded is one hundred and twenty-two, of whom 
fifteen were commissioned officers, or one out of every eight ! 

" Here, in a few words, the country has the means of determin- 
ing how it was that seventeen hundred American troops drove 
from their selected position, defeated and utterly routed, four times 
their number of disciplined Mexican cavalry, artillery, and infan- 
try ! — Here is the true cause of the victories of the 8th and 9th of 
May, being the most wonderful in the history of modern warfare. 
Our officers fought in front of their men. They literally led them 
to the cannon's mouth ; and as the history of these battles proves, 
when their swords were useless, threw them away, picked up the 
muskets and accoutrements of those who had fallen, and with these, 
set their men an example of coolness and daring which made every 
private in the little army feel himself a hero. When officers thus 
lead their men up to the very mouths of the enemy's cannon ; when 
sword in hand, or with the bayonet, they drive the enemy from 
their guns, and then themselves perform the work of gunners ; 
when for hours, as was the case in our flying artillery, the officers 
helped work the guns, and in some cases did the duty of three pri- 
vates — victory is certain — inevitable. Such was the character of 
the battles of the 8th and 9th of May — such the manner in which 
they were won — and such the conduct of our officers. Under such 
circumstances, our whole army might have been destroyed ; but if 
not, then was victory absolutely certain. We care not how exalted 
the character of the troops opposed to them, or to what nation they 
belonged, in this, their first fight after years of peace and the taunts 



24 LIFE OF GENERAL TAYLOR. 

of members of Congress, it was morally and physically impossible 
to resist them. Honor — unfading and perpetual honor — to General 
Taylor, the gallant officers who so nobly sustained him, and to the 
army of heroes they led to victory on the 8th and 9th of May, 1846 ; 
and most fortunate for them and for the country was it, that we 
had no undisciplined volunteers or militia in those battles. We 
doubt not their courage ; but no undisciplined troops could have 
fought those fights. It would have been morally impossible for 
any such to have withstood the fire of the enemy on those days and 
do what was required of our soldiers and officers ; and had there 
been any faltering — had a single battalion given way, as they most 
assuredly would — the enemy would have been encouraged to per- 
severe, and our whole army might have been annihilated and cut 
to pieces. Never was the value of disciplined men more triumph- 
antly demonstrated than on these glorious occasions ; and since we 
have learned that General Taylor compels the volunteers with him 
to receive six hours' drilling per day, and relieves them from all 
other duties to make soldiers of them, we venture to predict that 
they too, when they meet the enemy, will add to the reputation of 
our arms. ' Rough and Ready' will first make them soldiers, and 
then win victories with them." 

The London Herald remarks : " The proceedings of the soldiers 
under General Taylor have been such as to do honor to the Re- 
public. The little army amounting to but a handful of men, at a 
distance of thousands of miles from any available succor, has de- 
fended itself against superior numbers, and at length has crossed 
the Rio Grande, and took possession of Matamoras, almost in sight 
oi an opposing enemy — an exploit which Napoleon has pronounced 
to be the perfection of generals! rip" 

There seems to be some discrepancy in the estimates of the 
enemy's force, which is not satisfied by the accounts given by the 
enemy himself. The number of his force is generally set down at 
six thousand or thereabouts. 

We shall now proceed to notice some of the demonstrations of 
his countrymen towards General Taylor for his achievements on 
the Rio Grande, his character as a man and a soldier, his talents, 
politics, personal appearance, etc. 



LIFE OF GENERAL TAYLOR. 25 

Upon the receipt of the communication of General Taylor, giving 
a report of the engagements on the Bravo del Norte on the 8th and 
9th of May, the President, in a letter from his own hand to General 
Taylor, commends the gallantry of those concerned, and transmits 
a brevet of Major-General to the commander himself, which com- 
pliment and appointment were sanctioned by the senate. 

The legislature of Louisiana, then in session, promptly, and by 
acclamation, adopted a set of resolutions expressing thanks to Gen- 
eral Taylor and the officers under his command for the gallantry 
displayed by them on those occasions ; and also passed an act in- 
stanter appropriating a sword to the commanding general, and ap- 
pointed a committee of their own body to repair to the seat of war 
and present them to the hero, an honor never before conferred on 
an American general, that we are aware. The legislature of Ten- 
nessee did the same. Mr. Zacharie, chairman of the committee, 
in presenting the resolutions and thanks of the legislature of 
Louisiana, said : " My own heart and the heart of every Louisia- 
nian, approves of 'the beautiful sentiments of these resolutions. In 
behalf of the state of Louisiana, I thank you and your brave army 
for the additional lustre which these glorious victories have shed 
upon American arms." 

General Taylor, after paying a high compliment to Louisiana 
and to the chivalry of her sons, concludes thus : 

" The generous and timely action of the legislature of Louisiana 
will never be forgotten by us ; its name will be embalmed in our 
hearts as a cherished memorial. We feel that we have only done 
our duty ; yet we cannot but feel highly gratified to have gained 
the approbation of our fellow-citizens. Together with the love of 
our country, which is common to us all, it is that approbation which 
cheers and animates the soldier in the hour of battle. I therefore, 
in the name of my officers and men, thank you and the patriotic 
state which you represent for the honor conferred on us." 

Congress also, by a unanimous vote, returned thanks to the army 
for its gallant achievements on the Rio Grande, and the country, 
through all its avenues of expression, burst forth in one spontaneous 
demonstration of approbation and praise. 

The admiration for the hero of these battles was so strong and so 

4 



26 LIFE OF GENERAL TAYLOR. 

deep, that not only politicians, but the people in various parts of 
our union directed their eyes towards him at once as a man suita- 
ble to be chosen to the Presidency at the next election, in 1848 ; 
and with this view, meetings were called, some of which put him 
in nomination for that high office, and others making an expression 
in his favor that cannot be mistaken. 

At Trenton, New Jersey, a meeting was called and resolutions 
passed. A popular speaker referred to the qualifications of Gen- 
eral Taylor, as a general and a statesman, and his title to the grati- 
tude and affection of the American people, above any other man ; 
to his promptness and energy, as evidenced in his dispatches, and 
his whole conduct as a devoted patriot and a brave soldier. 

A meeting was also held in New York city, which complimented 
him highly on his military genius, and his achievements on the 
Rio Grande. 

General Taylor possesses a high order of talents — a brilliant 
intellect, and wields a pen as he does his sword, to the honor 
of his nation. His letters are admirable specimens of composi- 
tion, lucid and eloquent. " The unassuming yet self-possessed 
cool man of superior judgment, may be easily distinguished in his 
dispatches." His modesty in detailing the events of his battles 
amounts nearly to a fault, and he is entirely free of that hyper- 
bole, which we acknowledge is too often characteristic of military 
commanders. His language is chaste, his words well chosen, and 
the general tone of his communications evinces a mind well culti- 
vated and informed, and an education unneglected. 

The London Times, the most powerful newspaper, as well as the 
most rabid in its prejudices against America and every thing Ameri 
can, of any in Great Britain, speaks thus of Gen.Taylor's dispatches: 

" The dispatches of General Taylor are remarkable for their suc- 
cinct energy, and the absence of those verbose and grandiloquent 
strains which we are accustomed to meet with in narratives of 
American exploits He writes like a man of sense, skill, and cour- 
age ; and we have not the slightest wish to detract from the honors 
he has gallantly earned under the flag of his country." 

The same paper says of the behavior of General Taylor and his 
troops : 



LIFE OF GENERAL TAYLOR. 27 

" Whatever opinion we may entertain of the causes of this war, 
and the political motives in which it originated, the behavior of the 
American general and his troops deserves to be judged of by a 
much higher standard than the policy of the government which it 
is their duty to serve." 

His qualities of heart are such as do honor to mankind, and 
admirably fit him for the high station he holds, by elevating him in 
the affections of his comrades. Frank, affable, generous, feeling 
for the misfortunes or sufferings of his command, and making the 
alleviation of their distresses his first duty after conquering the foe, 
he is looked upon and regarded as a friend by his people, who 
would follow him to the very muzzle of an enemy's guns. 

As a general he is one of the best disciplinarians our army can 
boast. He is an experienced and tried soldier, elevated from one 
grade to another, almost in every instance for "meritorious ser- 
vices," and not by the adventitious aid of friends, or distinction of 
birth, to the rank of major-general. In his operations on the 
battle-field, he is wise, shrewd, and cautious ; deep, though clear- 
headed, in his plans, and when he strikes he strikes hard. A man 
of fearless courage, he takes the most active part in his engage- 
ments, and never urges his men where he would not go himself. 
" Boys," said he, coolly riding into the hollow square into which 
the infantry was thrown during the battle of Resaca de la Palma, 
in order to receive the charge of the Mexican cavalry, " Boys, I 
will place myself in your square" and there witnessed the assault 
and repulse as if the regiment was merely manoeuvring on parade. 

He is a man of an iron constitution, and during his campaign in 
Florida acquired the appellation of " Rough and Ready," by which 
he is now sometimes designated. In person he is about five feet 
eight inches in height, square and broad across his shoulders, mus- 
cular in his frame, full chest, and somewhat inclined to stockiness. 
His face is full and round, with high cheek bones, browned much 
by the tropical suns. His eyes are of a sloe blackness, quick and 
piercing ; and his hair and brows thick and heavy, and also jetty 
black. 

He is perfectly republican in his habits, associations, and dress, 
but gentlemanly in his demeanor, and understands well what be- 



28 LrFE OF GENERAL TAYLOR. 

longs to his rank while on duty. He has that industrious turn, 
that spirit of activity and restlessness, which leads him to neglect 
or overlook his apparel, and were he not in his uniform, it would 
be a difficult matter at times to recognise him as a commanding 
general. 

A gentleman, now in this vicinity, and formerly an officer in the 
army, and attached to Col. Taylor's regiment, and therefore per- 
fectly well acquainted with him, had occasion to stop at Fort Jesup 
in Louisiana, some years ago, while Col. T. was stationed at that 
post. Col. T. was absent when he arrived, at a court-martial one 
hundred miles distant, on the Arkansas. Mr. K. was walking out 
one morning in the direction of Red River, which runs not far dis- 
tant from Fort Jesup, and on descending a slight declivity, he saw 
ahead of him a good sized, very dark man, jogging along on a dimin- 
utive jackass. The man was dressed in a very coarse black bom- 
bazine frock-coat, drab breeches, with the bottoms put under the 
long tops of his boots, black cravat tied loosely about his neck, on 
his head a coarse straw-hat, whose broad rim flapped up and down 
over his face as the motion of the animal stirred it, disclosing ever 
and anon a pair of lustrous black eyes, and his hair streaming in 
the breeze. The sides of the jackass were gored deeply by the 
action of the huge Spanish spurs, which the rider had upon his 
heels, and both rider and animal were covered with mud and dust, 
and withal looked much jaded. The rider was Colonel Taylor. 
He had rode across the country one hundred miles with the utmost 
speed to join his post. Our informant passed the " time of day" 
with him, but did not recognise him ; and on his return to post 
they laughed heartily over the circumstance. 

Though possessing perhaps more vigor of mind, as a soldier and 
civilian General Taylor has much that cast possessed by the la- 
mented General Harrison. 

General Taylor, though arrived at high station, still possesses his 
republican simplicity and homeliness in camp, living, and attire. 
A writer from Brazos de Santiago, speaking of a visit to the Gen- 
eral's camp, says : " He was introduced to a very plain, shabbily 
dressed old gentleman, of rather small stature, about sixty years 
of age ; and who looked, by his hardy appearance, as if he had 



LIFE OF GENERAL TAYLOR. 29 

been encamping out all his life. This was the commander-in-chief 
of the army of occupation. He has been thirty-eight years in 
service on the frontiers of our country. One of his officers re- 
marked, that ' old as he is, he bears the fatigues and privations of 
the campaign better than any one under him.' He was affable, 
dignified, and in excellent spirits. His tent was no larger and no 
better than those of the other officers, and his table was his camp- 
chest, in which he carried his cooking utensils, &c. His plates 
were tin pans, and his cups tin pannikins. A small supply of 
brown sugar was kept in a cannister, and not a piece of crockery 
was to be seen. A party of six was thus entertained in homely 
style, and they all seemed to enjoy it abundantly." 

The above sketch is no doubt over-wrought, and contains one or 
two errors, particularly with regard to his stature and his dress. 
His dress is always plain, especially when in the field and in active 
service, but never shabby. His simplicity of habit is, however, 
proverbial, and is no discredit to his good sense. 

General Taylor, in politics, is a Whig, and was strongly opposed 
to the annexation of Texas. In conversation he is perfectly free 
and unreserved with his companions in arms, to the lowest grade 
of rank. His officers have no delicacy in riding up to his camp, at 
any time, and hailing him in the most familiar but respectful man- 
ner. They are always sure of a hearty welcome, and an invitation 
to alight and partake of his hospitalities. It has been said that he 
is habitually taciturn on the subject of his plans. This is a mis- 
take. He converses openly with his officers on all occasions in 
regard to his plan of operations, and consults them often on impor- 
tant movements. 

He is temperate in his habits, but can join a friend in a glass 
of wine with a rational gusto. He is industrious and assiduous in 
his vocation and duties, always attending to business before pleas- 
ure. He pays no regard to the pomp of war, and does not even 
avail himself of a marquee, which his rank entitles him to ; and 
while at Corpus Christi had no guard about his tent. He seldom 
appeared in uniform except in review, but wore a plain blue frock, 
jean pantaloons, and black cravat tied loosely about his neck. 



30 LIFE OF GENERAL TAYLOR. 



CHAPTER IV. 

Captain Taylor in 1812. — His gallant defence of Fort Harrison. — His attempt to 
send dispatches to Governor Harrison. — Colonel Russel with his rangers. 

In the fall of 1812, Captain Taylor had command of Fort Har- 
rison. On the 3d of September a furious attack was made on this 
post by a large body of Indians, in the night-time, but the design 
of the savages was completely baffled by a handful of men under 
Captain T., through great courage and prudence. This attack and 
repulse is thus described by Captain Taylor himself in a letter to 
Governor Harrison. 

" On Thursday evening, the 3d instant, after retreat beating, 
four guns were heard to fire in the direction where two young men 
(citizens who resided here) were making hay, about four hundred 
yards distant from the fort. I was immediately impressed with the 
idea that they were killed by the Indians, as the Miamis or Weas 
had that day informed me that the Prophet's party would soon be here 
for the purpose of commencing hostilities ; and that they had been 
directed to leave this place, which we were about to do. I did not 
think it prudent to send out at that late hour of the night to see 
what had become of them ; and their not coming in convinced me 
that I was right in my conjecture. I waited until eight o'clock 
next morning, when I sent out a corporal with a small party to find 
them, if it could be done without running too much risk of being 
drawn into an ambuscade. He soon sent back to inform me that 
he had found them both killed, and wished to know my further or- 
ders ; I sent the cart and oxen, had them brought in and buried ; 
they had been shot with two balls, scalped, and cut in a most 
shocking manner. Late in the evening of the 4th instant, old Jo- 
seph Lenar and between thirty and forty Indians arrived from the 
Prophet's town with a white flag ; among whom were about ten 
women, and the men were composed of chiefs of the different 
tribes that compose the Prophet's party. A Shawanee man that 
spoke good English, informed me that old Lenar intended to speak 



LIFE OF GENERAL TAYLOR. 31 

to me next morning and try and get something to eat. At retreat 
beating I examined the men's arms and found them all in good or- 
der, and completed their cartridges to sixteen rounds per man. As 
I had not been able to mount a guard of more than six privates and 
two non-commissioned officers for some time past, and sometimes 
part of them every other day, from the unhealthiness of the com- 
pany ; I had not conceived my force adequate to the defence of 
this post, should it be vigorously attacked, for some time past. 

" As I had just recovered from a very severe attack of fever, I was 
not able to be up much through the night. After tattoo, I cautioned 
the guard to be vigilant, and ordered one of the non-commissioned 
officers, as the sentinels could not see every part of the garrison, to 
walk round on the inner side during the whole night, to prevent the 
Indians taking any advantage of us, providing they had any inten- 
tion of attacking us. About eleven o'clock I was awakened by 
the firing of one of the sentinels. I sprang up, ran out, and or- 
dered the men to their posts ; when my orderly-sergeant (who had 
charge of the upper block-house) called out that the Indians had 
fired the lower block-house, (which contained the property of the 
contractor, which was deposited in the lower part, the upper having 
been assigned to a corporal and two privates as an alarm-post.) 
The guns had begun to fire pretty smartly from both sides. I di- 
rected the buckets to be got ready, and water brought from the 
well, and the fire extinguished immediately, as it was perceivable 
at that time ; but from debility or other cause the men were very 
slow in executing my orders. The word ' fire' appeared to throw 
the whole of them into confusion ; and by the time they had got 
the water, and broken open the door, the fire had unfortunately 
communicated to a quantity of whiskey, (the stock having licked 
several holes through the lower part of the buildings, after the salt 
that was stored there, through which they had introduced the 
fire without being discovered, as the night was very dark,) and in 
spite of every exertion we could make use of, in less than a mo- 
ment it ascended to the roof and baffled every effort we could make 
to extinguish it. As that block-house adjoined the barracks that 
make part of the fortifications, most of the men immediately gave 
themselves up for lost, and I had the greatest difficulty in getting 



32 LIFE OF GENERAL TAYLOR. 

my orders executed ; and, sir, what from the raging of the fire — 
the yelling and howling of several hundred Indians — the cries of 
nine women and children, (a part soldiers' and a part citizens' 
wives, who had taken shelter in the fort,) and the desponding of 
so many of the men, which was worse than all — I can assure you 
that my feelings were very unpleasant ; and indeed there were not 
more than ten or fifteen men able to do a great deal, the others 
being either sick or convalescent — and to add to our other misfor- 
tunes two of the stoutest men in the fort, and that I had every 
confidence in, jumped the picket and left us. But my presence 
of mind did not for a moment forsake me. I saw that by throwing 
part of the roof that joined the block-house that was on fire, and 
keeping the end perfectly wet, the whole row of buildings might 
be saved, and leave only an entrance of eighteen or twenty feet for 
the Indians to enter after the house was consumed ; and that a 
temporary breastwork might be erected to prevent their even en- 
tering there. I convinced the men that this could be accomplished, 
and it appeared to inspire them with new life, and never did men 
act with more firmness or desperation. Those that were able 
(while the others kept up a constant fire from the other block- 
house and the two bastions) mounted the roofs of- the houses with 
Dr. Clark at their head, (who acted with the greatest firmness and 
presence of mind the whole time the attack lasted, which was 
seven hours,) under a shower of bullets, and in less than a mo- 
ment threw off as much of the roof as was necessary. This was 
done only with the loss of one man and two wounded, and I am 
in hope neither of them dangerous. The man that was killed was 
a little deranged, and did not get off the house as soon as directed, 
or he would not have been hurt ; and although the barracks were 
several times in a blaze, and an immense quantity of fire against 
them, the men used such exertion that they kept it under, and be- 
fore day raised a temporary breastwork as high as a man's head 
although the Indians continued to pour in a heavy fire of ball and 
an innumerable quantity of arrows during the whole time the at- 
tack lasted, in every part of the parade. I had but one other man 
killed, nor any other wounded inside the fort, and he lost his life 
by being too anxious. He got into one of the gallies in the bas- 



DEFENCE OF FORT HARRISON. 33 

tions, and fired over the pickets, and called out to his comrades 
that he had killed an Indian, and neglecting to stoop down, in an 
instant he was shot dead. One of the men that jumped the pickets 
returned an hour before day, and running up towards the gate beg- 
ged for God's sake for it to be opened. I suspected it to be a strat- 
agem of the Indians to get in, as I did not recollect the voice. I 
directed the men in the bastion where I happened to be to shoot 
him, let him be who he would, and one of them fired at him, but 
fortunately he ran up to the other bastion, where they knew his 
voice, and Dr. Clark directed him to lie down close to the pickets, 
behind an empty barrel that happened to be there, and at daylight 
I had him let in. His arm was broke in a shocking manner ; 
which he says was done by the Indians, which I suppose was the 
cause of his returning. I think it probable that he will not recover. 
The other they caught about one hundred and thirty yards from the 
garrison, and cut him all to pieces. 

" After keeping up a constant fire until about six o'clock the 
next morning, which we began to return with some effect after 
daylight, they removed out of reach of our guns. A party of them 
drove up the horses that belonged to the citizens here, and as they 
could not catch them readily, shot the whole of them in our sight, 
as well as a number of their hogs. They drove off the whole of 
the cattle, which amounted to sixty-five head, as well as the public 
oxen. I had the vacancy filled up before night (which was made 
by the burning of the block-house) with a strong row of pickets, 
which I got by pulling down the guard-house. We lost the whole 
of our provisions, but must make out to live upon green corn until 
we can get a supply, which I am in hopes will not be long. I be- 
lieve the whole of the Miamies or Weas were among the Prophet's 
party, as one chief gave his orders in that language, which resem- 
bled Stone Eater's voice, and I believe Negro Legs was there like- 
wise. A Frenchman here understands their different languages ; 
and several of the Miamies and Weas, that have been frequently 
here, were recognised by the Frenchman and soldiers the next 
morning. The Indians suffered smartly, br'. were so numerous as 
to take off all that were shot. They continued with us until the 
next morning, but made no other attempt on the fort, nor have we 

5 



34 LIFE OF GENERAL TAYLOR. 

seen any thing more of them since. I have delayed informing you 
of my situation as I did not like to weaken the garrison, and I 
looked for some person from Yincennes, and none of my men were 
acquainted with the woods, and therefore I would either have to 
take the road or the river, which I was fearful was guarded by 
small parties of Indians that would not dare attack a company of 
rangers that was on a scout ; but being disappointed, I have at 
'.ength determined to send a couple of my men by water, and am 
in hopes they will arrive safe. I think it would be best to send the 
provisions under a pretty strong escort, as the Indians may attempt 
to prevent their coming. If you carry on an expedition against 
the Prophet this fall, you ought to be well provided with every 
thing, as you may calculate on having every inch of ground dis- 
puted between this and there that they can defend with advantage. 

" Wishing, &c. 

" Z. Taylor." 

Failing in this attempt to forward his dispatches, Captain Taylor 
writes Governor Harrison as follows, three days afterwards : — 

" Fort Harrison, Sept 13, 1812. 

" Dear Sir, — I wrote you on the 10th instant, giving you an ac- 
count of an attack on this place, as well as my situation, which ac- 
count I attempted to send by water, but the two men whom I dis- 
patched in a canoe after night, found the river so well guarded that 
they were obliged to return. The Indians had built a fire on the 
bank of the river, a shor distance below the garrison, which gave 
them an opportunity of seeing any craft that might attempt to pass, 
and were waiting with a canoe ready to intercept it. I expect the 
fort, as well as the road to Vincennes, is as well or better watched 
than the river. But my situation compels me to make one other at- 
tempt by land, and my orderly sergeant and one other man sets out 
to-night with strict orders to avoid the road in the day-time, and 
depend entirely on the woods, although neither of them have ever 
been in Vincennes by land, nor do they know any thing of the 
country, but I am in hopes they will reach you in safety. I send 
them with great reluctance from their ignorance of the woods. J 



LIFE OF GENERAL TAYLOR. 35 

think it very probable there is a large party of Indians waylaying 
the road between this and Vincennes, likely about the Narrows, for 
the purpose of intercepting any party that may be coming to this 
place, as the cattle they got here will supply them plentifully with 
provisions for some time to come. 

" Please, &c. 

"Z. Taylor 

" His Excellency, Governor Harrison." 

At the time of writing this letter Colonel Russel was within 
fifteen miles of Fort Harrison with a reinforcement of six hundred 
mounted rangers and five hundred infantry, though his approach 
was unknown to Captain Taylor, and arrived to his relief on the 
16th. 



36 LIFE OF GENERAL TAYLOR. 



CHAPTER V. 

Genera Taylor's Expedition to the Prophet's Town.— Promotion to Major.— Repairs 
to Florida. — Battle of Okee-cho-bee. 

On the 11th November, the army under Major-general Hopkins 
left Fort Harrison on an expedition to the Prophet's town, which 
they reached on the 19th; three hundred men were detached to 
surprise the Winnebago town, lying on Ponse Passu creek, one 
mile from the Wabash and four below the Prophet's. This party, 
commanded by General Butler, surrounded the place, but found it 
evacuated. On the three following days they were embarked in 
the destruction of the Prophet's town, a village of about forty cabins 
and huts, and the large Kick-a-poo village below it, on the other 
side of* the river, consisting of one hundred and sixty cabins ; de- 
stroying the corn, reconnoitring the adjacent country, and con- 
structing works of defence. We cannot particularize the events 
of this expedition, but suffice to say it proved highly successful, 
and Captain Taylor took a most active part in the business of the 
campaign. Major-general Hopkins, in his dispatch to Governor 
Shelby, in rendering his acknowledgments to the officers under his 
command, says, " as also to Captain Z. Taylor, of the 7th United 
States regiment, for a prompt and effectual support in every 
instance." 

On his return from this expedition Captain Taylor found a pack- 
age for him from the seat of government ; and upon its being 
opened, was discovered to contain a commission from President: 
Madison, conferring on him the rank of brevet Major, as a reward 
for his gallant defence of Fort Harrison, and bore the date of that 
event. 

Major Taylor was promoted to colonel in 1832, which has been 
his lineal rank until recently, when he was appointed by the Presi- 
dent and senate Major-general, according to the provisions of an 
act passed the present session to increase the number of Major and 
Brigadier-generals, etc. In the early part of the difficulties in 



BATTLE OF 0KEE-CH0-BEE . 37 

Florida he repaired thither, and few officers rendered the country 
better service in that campaign. 

On the 25th of December, 1837, was fought the disastrous battle 
of Okee-cho-bee, between Colonel Taylor and the Seminoles and 
Mickasukies under Alligator and Sam Jones. The United States 
army had now been in operation in Florida for two years, and 
Colonel Taylor was in command of the first brigade, at Fort Gard- 
ner, south of the Withlacooch.ee. On the 19th of December, he 
received a communication from Major-general Jesup, informing 
him that all hopes of bringing the war to a close by negotiation, 
through the interference or mediation of the Cherokee delegation, 
were at an end, Sam Jones, with the Mickasukies, having deter- 
mined to fight it out to the last ; and directing him to proceed with 
the least possible delay against any portion of the enemy he might 
hear of within striking distance, and to destroy or capture him. 

The next morning after receiving this communication, Colonel 
Taylor marched with the whole of his command, except an ade- 
quate force under two officers left to protect the depot, with twelve 
days' rations only, his means of transportation not enabling him to 
carry more. His force consisted of Captain Munro's company of 
the 4th artillery, consisting of thirty-five men ; the 1 st infantry, 
under Colonel Davenport, one hundred and ninety-seven strong ; 
the 4th infantry, under command of Lieutenant-colonel Foster, two 
hundred and seventy-four men ; the 6th infantry, under Lieutenant- 
colonel Thompson, two hundred and twenty-one men ; the Mis- 
souri volunteers, one hundred and eighty men ; Morgan's Spies, 
forty-seven ; and thirty pioneers, thirteen pontoniers, and seventy 
Delaware Indians ; making in all, exclusive of officers, one thou- 
sand thirty-two men ; the greater part of the Shawnees having been 
detached, and the balance refusing to accompany him, under the 
pretext that a number of them were sick, and the remainder were 
without moccasins. 

He moved down the west side of the Kissimmee, in a southerly 
course, towards Lake Istopoga, for the reasons that a portion of the 
hostiles were to be found in that direction ; that if General Jesup 
should fall in with the Mickasukies and drive them, they might at- 
tempt to elude him by crossing the Kissimmee from the east to the 



38 LIFE OF GENERAL TAYLOR. 

west side of the peninsula, between Fort Gardner and its entrance 
into Okee-cho-bee, in which case he might be near at hand to in- 
tercept them ; to overawe and induce such of the enemy as had 
been making propositions to give themselves up, and who had been 
slow to fulfil their promises ; and also to erect block-houses and a 
small picket work on the Kissimmee, for a third depot, forty or fifty 
miles below the fort, and obtain a knowledge of the country, as he 
had no guide to rely upon, and by this means open a communica- 
tion with Colonel Smith, who was operating up the Caloosehatcb.ee 
or Sanybel river by his orders. 

In the evening of his first day's march, Colonel Taylor met the 
Indian chief Jumper, with his family, and a part of his band, con- 
sisting of fifteen men, some of them with families, and a few ne- 
groes — in all sixty-three souls, on his way to give himself up, in 
conformity to a previous arrangement Colonel Taylor had entered 
into with him. They were conducted by Captain Parks, a half-breed 
at the head of the friendly Indians, both Shawnees and Delawares. 
The army encamped that night near the spot, and the next morn- 
ing, having sent on Jumper and his party to Fort Frazer, Colonel 
Taylor continued his march, preceded by three Seminoles, to gain 
intelligence as to the position of the enemy. About noon of the 
same day, he sent forward one battalion of Gentry's regiment, un- 
der command of Lieutenant-colonel Price, to pick up any strag- 
glers that might fall in his way ; to encamp two or three miles in 
advance of the main force ; to act with great circumspection, and 
to communicate promptly any occurrence that might take place in 
his vicinity important for Colonel Taylor to know. 

About ten o'clock in the evening, Colonel Taylor received a note 
from Colonel Price, stating that the three Seminoles sent forward 
in the morning had returned ; that they had been at or where Alli- 
gator had encamped, twelve or fifteen miles in his advance ; that 
Alligator had left there with a part of his family four days before, 
under pretext of separating his relations, &c, from the Mickasu- 
kies, preparatory to his surrendering with them ; that there were 
several families remaining at the camp referred to, who wished to 
give themselves up, and would remain there until Colonel T. 
took possession of them, unless they were forcibly carried off that 



BATTLE OF OKEE-CHO-BEE. 39 

night by the Mickasukies, who were encamped at no great dis- 
tance from them. 

In consequence of this intelligence, after directing Lieutenant- 
colonel Davenport to follow him early in the morning with the in- 
fantry, a little after midnight Colonel Taylor put himself at the 
head of the residue of his mounted men, joined Lieutenant-colonel 
Price, proceeded on, crossing Istopoga outlet, and soon after day- 
light took possession of the encampment referred to, when he 
found the inmates had not been disturbed, amounting in all to 
twenty-two individuals. He learned from an old man among them 
that Alligator was anxious to give himself up, and he sent him to 
inform him that if he was sincere in his professions, he would meet 
him the next day, at a place designated, on the Kissimmee. 

When the infantry came up, Colonel Taylor moved on to the 
place of meeting with Alligator, which on reaching late in the eve- 
ning, encamped. At eleven o'clock the old Indian returned, bring- 
ing a very equivocal message from Alligator, whom he stated he had 
met accidentally. Also that the Mickasukies were still encamped 
on the opposite side of the river, where they had been for some 
days, and determined to have a fight with the United States troops. 
Colonel Taylor at once determined on indulging them as soon as 
practicable. Accordingly the next morning, after laying out a 
small stockade work for the protection of a future depot, in order 
to enable him to move with the greatest celerity, he deposited the 
whole of his heavy baggage, including artillery, &c, and having 
provisioned the command, to include the twenty-sixth, after leaving 
Captain Munroe with his company, the pioneer, pontoniers, with 
eighty-five sick and disabled infantry, and a portion of the friendly 
Indians, who alleged that they were unable to march further, 
crossed the Kissimmee, taking the old Indian as a guide who had 
been captured the day before, and who accompanied them with 
great apparent reluctance in pursuit of the enemy, and early the 
next day reached Alligator's encampment, situated on the edge of 
Cabbage-tree Hammock, in the midst of a large prairie ; from the 
appearance of which, and other encampments in the vicinity, and 
the many evidences of slaughtered cattle, there must have been 
several hundred individuals. 



40 LIFE OF GENERAL TAYLOR. 

The spies surprised another encampment at no great distance 
in the midst of a swamp, in which were a small party of young 
men, an old man, and some women and children, who raised the 
white flag, and were taken possession of. They were Seminoles, 
and informed Colonel Taylor that the Mickasukies, headed by 
A-vi-a-ka, (Sam Jones,) was some ten or twelve miles distant, en- 
camped in a swamp, and were prepared to fight. Dismissing the 
old man, and making provision for those that came in, Colonel Tay- 
lor moved on, under guidance of the Seminoles, towards the camp 
of the Mickasukies. 

Between two and three o'clock in the afternoon he reached a 
very dense cypress swamp, through which they were compelled to 
pass, and in which the guides informed them they might be at- 
tacked. After making the necessary disposition for battle, it was 
ascertained that there was no enemy to oppose them. The army 
crossed over and encamped for the night, it being very late. During 
the passage of the rear, Captain Parks, who was in advance with 
a few friendly Indians, fell in with two of the enemy's spies— one 
on horseback the other on foot — and succeeded in capturing the 
latter. He was an active young warrior, armed with an excellent 
rifle, fifty balls in his pouch, and an adequate proportion of powder. 
This Indian confirmed the information which had previously been 
received from the other Indians, and, in addition, stated that a large 
body of Seminoles, headed by John Cohua, Co-a-coo-chee, and, no 
doubt, Alligator, with other chiefs, were encamped five or six miles 
from them, near the Mickasukies, with a cypress swamp and dense 
hammock between them and the latter. 

The army moved forward at daylight the next morning, and after 
marching five or six miles reached the camp of the Seminoles, on 
the borders of another cypress swamp, which must have contained 
several hundred, and bore evident traces of having been abandoned 
in a great hurry, as the fires were still burning, and quantities of 
beef lying on the ground unconsumed. 

Here the troops were again disposed of in order of battle, but 
they found no enemy to oppose them, and the command was crossed 
over, where they entered a large prairie in their front, on which two 
or three hundred cattle were grazing, and a number of Indian po- 



BATTLE OF OKEE-CHO-BEE. 41 

nies. Here another young Indian warrior was captured, armed 
and equipped as the former. He pointed out a dense hammock on 
the right, about a mile distant, in which he said the hostiles were 
situated and waiting to give them battle. 

At this place the final disposition was made to attack them, 
which was in two lines ; the volunteers under Gentry, and Mor- 
gan's spies, to form the first line in extended order, who were in- 
structed to enter the hammock, and, in the event of being attacked 
and hard pressed, were to fall back in rear of the regular troops, 
out of reach of the enemy's fire ; the second line was composed of 
the fourth and sixth infantry, who were instructed to sustain the 
volunteers, the first infantry being held in reserve. 

Moving on in the direction of the hammock, after proceeding 
about a quarter of a mile they reached the swamp that separated 
them from the enemy, three quarters of a mile in breadth, being 
totally impassable for horse and nearly so for foot, covered with a 
thick growth of saw-grass five feet high, and about knee-deep in 
mud and water, which extended to the left as far as the eye could 
reach, and to the right to a part of the swamp and hammock they 
had just crossed, through which ran a deep creek. At the edge of 
the swamp all the men were dismounted, and the horses and bag- 
gage left under a suitable guard. Captain Allen was detached with 
the two companies of mounted infantry to examine the swamp and 
hammock to the right ; and in case he should not find the enemy 
in that direction, was to return to the baggage, and, in the event of 
his hearing a heavy firing, was immediately to join Colonel Taylor. 

6 



LIFE OF GENERAL TAYLOR. 



CHAPTER VI. 



Battle of Okee-cho-bee Concluded — Effect of this Battle— Colonel Taylor given in 
Command of Posts. — Promotion. — Takes Command of Army in Florida. — Resigns.— 
Ordered to Texas. 

All the arrangements for an attack upon the enemy having been 
made, Colonel Taylor crossed the swamp in the order stated in the 
last chapter. On reaching the borders of the hammock the volun- 
teers and spies received a heavy fire from the enemy, which was 
returned by them for a short time, when their gallant commander, 
Colonel Gentry, fell, mortally wounded. They mostly broke, and 
instead of forming in the rear of the regulars, as had been directed, 
they retired across the swamp to their baggage and horses, nor 
could they again be brought into action as a body, although efforts 
were made by Colonel Taylor's staff to induce them to do so. 

The enemy, however, were promptly checked and driven back 
by the fourth and sixth infantry, which in truth might be said to be 
a moving battle. The weight of the enemy's fire was principally 
concentrated on five companies of the sixth infantry, which not only 
stood firm, but continued to advance until their gallant commander, 
Lieutenant-colonel Thompson, and his adjutant, Lieutenant Center, 
were killed ; and every officer, with one exception, as well as most 
of the non-commissioned, including the sergeant-major and four of 
the orderly-sergeants, killed and wounded of those companies ; 
when that portion of the regiment retired for a short distance and 
were reformed, one of those companies having but four members 
left untouched. 

Lieutenant-colonel Foster, with six companies, amounting in all 
to one hundred and sixty men, gained the hammock in good order, 
where he was joined by Captain Noel, with the two remaining 
companies of the sixth infantry, and Captain Gillam, of Gentry's 
volunteers, with a few additional men, and continued to drive the 
enemy for a considerable time, and by a change of front, separated 
his line, and continued to drive him until he reached the great lake 
Okee-cho-bee, which was in the rear of the enemy's position, and 



BATTLE OF OKEE-CHO-BEE. 43 

on which their encampment extended for more than a mile. As 
soon as Colonel Taylor was informed that Captain Allen was ad 
vancing, he ordered the first infantry to move to the left, gain the 
enemy's right flank and turn it, which order was executed in the 
promptest manner possible ; and as soon as that regiment got in 
position, the enemy gave one fire and retreated, being pursued by 
the first, fourth, and sixth, and some of the volunteers who had 
joined them, until near night, and until these troops were nearly 
exhausted, and the enemy driven in all directions. 

The action was a severe one, and continued from half past twelve 
until after three P. M., a part of the time very close and severe. 
Colonel Taylor's command suffered much, having twenty-six killed 
and one hundred and twelve wounded, among whom were some of 
his most valuable officers. The hostiles, it is thought, suffered in 
equal proportion, they having left ten dead on the ground, besides, 
doubtless, carrying off many more, as is customary with them when 
practicable. 

As soon as the enemy was completely broken, Colonel Taylor 
turned his attention to taking care of the wounded, to facilitate their 
removal to his baggage, where he ordered an encampment to be 
formed, directed Captain Taylor to cross over to the spot, and em 
ploy every individual whom he might find there in constructing a 
small footway across the swamp ; this, with great exertions, was 
completed in a short time after dark, when all the dead and wounded 
were carried over ia litters, made for that purpose, with one ex- 
ception, a private, who was killed, and could not be found. 

In speaking of this disastrous though successful action, Colonel 
Taylor says, in his official communication to the department, " I 
trust I may be permitted to say, that I experienced one of the 
most trying scenes of my life, and he who could have looked on it 
with indifference, his nerves must have been very differently organ- 
ized from my own ; besides the killed, there lay one hundred and 
twelve wounded officers and soldiers, who had accompanied me 
one hundred and forty-five miles, most of the way through an un 
explored wilderness, without guides, who had so gallantly beat the 
enemy, under my orders, in his strongest position, and who had to 
be conveyed back through swamps and hammocks, from whence 



44 LIFE OF GENERAL TAYLOR. 

we set out without any apparent means of doing. This service, 
however, was encountered and overcome, and they have been con 
veyed thus far, and proceeded on to Tampa Bay, on rude litters, 
constructed with the axe and knife alone, with poles and dry hides 
— the latter being found in great abundance at the encampment 
of the hostiles. The litters were conveyed on the backs of our 
weak and tottering horses, aided by the residue of the command, 
with more ease and comfort to the sufferers than I could have sup- 
posed ; and with as much as they could have been in ambulances 
of the most improved and modern construction." 

The day after the battle Colonel Taylor and his command re- 
mained at their encampment, occupied in taking care of the 
wounded, and in the sad office of interring the dead ; also in pre- 
paring litters for the removal of the wounded, and collecting, with a 
portion of the mounted men, the horses and cattle in the vicinity 
belonging to the enemy ; of which they found about one hundred 
of the former, many of them saddled, and nearly three hundred of 
the latter. On the morning of the 27th, Colonel Taylor left the 
encampment for the Kissimmee, where they had left their heavy 
baggage, which place they reached about noon the next day, and 
finding the stockade which he had ordered to be constructed by 
Captain Munroe nearly completed, he left two companies and a 
few Indians to garrison it, and proceeded on to Fort Gardner. Ar- 
riving there, he sent on the wounded to Tampa Bay, with the fourth 
and sixth infantry, the former to halt at Fort Frazer, remaining 
himself at Fort Gardner with the first, in order to make prepara- 
tions to take the field again as soon as his horses could be recruited, 
and his supplies in a sufficient state of forwardness to justify the 
measure. 

In speaking of the command, Colonel Taylor commends the 
gallantry of the following named officers, most of whom had been 
engaged with him in his various campaigns in Florida and else- 
where, and some of whom have since become known with credit to 
themselves : Lieutenant-colonel Davenport, Colonel Foster, Major 
Graham, Captain Allen, Lieutenant Hooper, Captain Noel, Lieu- 
tenant Wood, Captain Andrews, Lieutenant Walker, Colonel Gen- 
try, of the Missouri volunteers, Captain Gillam, Lieutenant Blake 



BATTLE OF OKEE-CHO-BEE. 45 

ly, Captain Childs, Lieutenants Rogers, Flanagan, Hase, Gorden, 
Hill, Griffin, Harrison, and McClure, Major Sconce, Captain Tay- 
lor, Lieutenant-colonel Thompson, who fell at the head of his regi- 
ment, Captain Swearingen, Adjutant Center, Lieutenant Brooke, 
Major Brant, Lieutenant Babbitt, and several surgeons and assist- 
ant surgeons attached to the command. 

This stroke of Colonel Taylor's had a tremendous and beneficial 
effect towards subduing the Indians in that quarter. An officer 
writing from Fort Bassinger, subsequent to this battle, says : " The 
Indian prisoners now admit that they lost twenty killed on the 
ground, and a great many wounded, in the fight with Colonel Tay- 
lor. They had a strong position, and fought well, but were terribly 
whipped, and have never returned near the ground since." 

Jumper, Alligator, and other chiefs and warriors, afterwards 
came in, whom Colonel Taylor sent out again from time to time, 
to induce their hostile companions to surrender themselves to the 
commanding officer, and by this means large numbers were brought 
to yield. 

The general policy of Colonel Taylor while in Florida, together 
with his great industry and perseverance, and the hardy constitu 
lion he possessed, rendered his services immensely valuable to the 
government and country in subduing the savages, and bringing 
about a peace and reconciliation on this southern frontier. 

Colonel Taylor, after the battle of Okee-cho-bee, established 
himself at Fort Bassinger, on the Kissimmee, about twenty miles 
west of Fort Lloyd. On the 1st March following, Mr. Poinsett, 
Secretary of War, wrote to Major-general Jesup, from which com- 
munication we extract as follows : 

" The department indulged the hope, that with the extensive 
means placed at your disposal, the war, by a vigorous effort, might 
be brought to a close this campaign. If, however, you are of 
opinion that, from the nature of the country, and the character of 
the enemy, such a result is impracticable, and that it is advisable 
to make a temporary arrangement with the Seminoles, by which 
the safety of the settlements and the posts will be secured through- 
out the summer, you are at liberty to do so. In that event, you 
will establish posts at Tampa, and on the eastern shore, and 



46 LIFE OF GENERAL TAYLOR. 

wherever else they are, in your opinion, necessary to preserve the 
peace of the country ; and I would suggest the propriety of leaving 
Colonel Zachary Taylor, of the first infantry, in command of 
them." Upon this suggestion, it is presumed General Jesup acted, 
and Colonel Taylor was given in command of the posts along the 
frontier. 

In consideration of the services rendered in Florida, the depart- 
ment at Washington conferred on Colonel Taylor the rank of 
brigadier-general by brevet, to take date from the battle of Okee- 
cho-bee. 

Major-general Jesup having reported that the operations in 
Florida would probably terminate on the 1st May, the Adjutant- 
general issued a "general order' on the 10th April, 1838, making 
such a disposition of the forces as seemed necessary ; the fifth ar- 
ticle of which reads as follows : " Major-general Jesup will take all 
the necessary orders for the prompt execution of this order, and 
will then turn over the command of the troops in Florida to brevet 
Brigadier-General Z. Taylor, colonel of the first infantry ; and on 
being- relieved, he will repair to the seat of government, and re- 
sume the duties of quartermaster-general." In the May following 
General Taylor was invested with the command of the troops 
agreeably with the above order, and General Jesup proceeded to 
Washington, reaching there about the 1st June. 

General Taylor remained in command until the fore part of 
1840, when he requested leave to retire from the command of the 
army in Florida, and was relieved by Brigadier-general Armistead, 
and arrived in New Orleans, with his family, on the 21st June. 

In the following year he was assigned to the command of the 
second department, on the Arkansas, to relieve General Arbuckle. 
On his way to Fort Gibson, while at Little Rock, he was tendered, 
in a very handsome manner, a public dinner, by the citizens of that 
town, as an expression of esteem for his " personal worth and me- 
ritorious public services." General Taylor, in a brief note, declined 
the invitation on account of having been already detained on his 
journey an unusual length of time, and being anxious to proceed 
on as rapidly as possible to his destined post. General Taylor soon 
changed his head-quarters to Fort Smith ; and subsequently he 



LIFE OF GENERAL TAYLOR. 47 

was transferred to Fort Jesup, Louisiana ; where the following or- 
der from the department, dated the 17th September, 1844, reached 
him : — 

" Sir, — The general-in-chief has received instructions, through 
the department of state, from the Executive, to hold the troops, 
now between the Red and Sabine rivers, ready to march, in case 
of a requisition being made by the Charge d' Affaires residing near 
the government of Texas, to such point within our limits or those 
of Texas, as the said Charge may designate, in order to restrain 
any hostile incursion on the part of the border Indians, as required 
by the provision of existing treaties. 

"You will please to take such preliminary measures as may be 
deemed necessary to put the great part of the forces under your 
command designated above, in march for the above purpose at 
short notice. 

" Should the apprehended hostilities with the Indians alluded to 
break out, an officer of rank, probably yourself, will be sent to 
command the United States forces placed in the field, and who 
will receive hereafter further instructions from his government. 

" L. Thomas, 

" Assistant Adjutant-General. 
" Brigadier-General Z. Taylor, 

" Com. 1st Department Fort Jesup, La." 

The command of the " Army of Observation" in Texas was 
given soon after to General Taylor, though of course ranked by 
General Gaines, and somewhat to the mortification of the latter, 
though not to his disparagement, as his gallantry and fame are 
established beyond all contingencies. The assignment, however, 
shows the confidence the department placed in the abilities of 
General Taylor. 

On the 16th of July, General Taylor arrived at New Orleans 
with his staff from Fort Jesup, on his way to Texas ; and in the 
next march he crossed the Nueces, and planted the United States 
flag in the ancient department of Tamaulipas. 

We shall now give a brief sketch of the lives of some of ths 



48 LIFE OF GENERAL TAYLOR. 

brave officers that took part in the battles of Palo Alto and Resaca 
de la Palma, previous to the giving an account of those engage- 
ments. We regret we cannot increase the number of these per- 
sonal narratives, but want of material at hand prevents. There 
are very many others who distinguished themselves not only in 
these engagements, but stand before the country well tried and 
valorous officers, and whose names have years ago found a place 
in the annals of our frontier defence. We cannot forbear, however, 
mentioning some of the officers so warmly alluded to in General 
Taylor's official reports, and whose wisdom, great experience, and 
skill, served to direct the grand movements of thpse days, which 
brought about the result so gratifying and honorable to the country 
and all concerned. Lieutenant-Colonel Mcintosh, an old war of- 
ficer, and one never yet found behind his duty, or lacking in energy, 
with his regiment the fifth infantry, gave the greatest proof of bra- 
very and steadiness in the action of Palo Alto by receiving a deter- 
mined charge of the enemy's lancers, and then repulsing them ; 
and in the action of the following day, he shared in the honors and 
the dangers, being engaged in the hottest part of the contest, and 
having been twice severely wounded. 

Lieutenant-Colonel Belknap, a native of the empire State, and 
an officer, perhaps, second to none of his rank in point of ability, 
distinguished himself greatly by putting, with his brigade, the whole 
right line of the enemy to rout on the 8th, and by carrying his 
batteries and driving him from his position on the 9th, and effectu- 
ally putting an end to the contest. General Taylor, after paying 
high compliments to Colonel Twiggs, the second in command, 
Lieutenant-Colonel Garland, commanding third brigade, Lieuten- 
ant-Colonel Childs, commanding the artillery battalion, Major Al 
len, and Captain Morris, of fourth and third infantry, continues : 

" The impression made by Captain Duncan's battery upon the 
extreme right of the enemy's line at the affair of Palo Alto, con- 
tributed largely to the result of the day. The eighteen-pounder 
battery which played a conspicuous part in the action of the 8th, 
was admirably served by Lieutenant Churchill, third artillery, as- 
sisted by Lieutenant Wood, topographical engineers. Captain 
McCall, fourth infantry, rendered distinguished service with the 



CREDIT TO OFFICERS. 49 

advanced corps under his orders. Its loss in killed and wounded 
will show how closely it was engaged. I may take occasion to 
say that in two former instances Captain McCall has rendered val- 
uable services as a partisan officer." 

" I derived efficient aid on both days from all the officers of my 
staff. Captain Bliss, Assistant Adjutant-General ; Lieutenant- 
Colonel Payne, Inspector-General ; Lieutenant Eaton, A. D. C. ; 
Captain Waggaman, Commissary of Subsistence ; Lieutenant Sca- 
vitt, Engineer, and Lieutenants Blake and Meade, Topographical 
Engineers, promptly conveyed my orders to every part of the field. 
Lieutenant- Colonel Payne was wounded in the affair of the 9th, 
and I have already had occasion to report the melancholy death of 
Lieutenant Blake by accident." 

" Major Craig and Lieutenant Brereton, of the ordnance depart- 
ment, were actively engaged in their appropriate duties, and Sur- 
geon Craig, medical director, superintended in person the arduous 
duties of the field hospitals. I take this occasion to mention gen- 
erally the devotion to duty of the medical staff of the army, who 
have been untiring in their exertions, both in the field and in the 
hospitals, to alleviate the sufferings of the wounded in both armies. 
Captains Crossman and Myers, of the quartermaster's department, 
who had charge of the heavy supply train at both engagements, 
conducted it in a most satisfactory manner, and finally brought it 
up, without the smallest loss, to its destination." 

Major Staniford of 5th infantry, Captain Smith of artillery bat- 
talion, Captain Ker of 2d dragoons, Captain Buchanan 4th infan- 
try, Captains Graham, Morrison, Hoe, McKavett, Arnold, Page, 
(since dead from his wounds,) Scott 4th artillery, Crossman, Myers, 
Lieutenants Shover, Pleasanton, Winship, Wood, Dobbins, Scott, 
French, Gates, Burbank, Inge, Sackett, Cochran, Hays, McDonald, 
Chase, and Daniels, all distinguished themselves in their various 
duties. 



50 LIFE OF GENERAL TAYLOR. 



CHAPTER VII. 

Major Ringgold. — His Nativity. — Joins General Scott's Staff. — Enters Service as 
Lieutenant. — Went to Fort Moultrie. — Assigned to Company C. — Forms new Com- 
pany. — The Flying Artillery. — Ordered to Texas. — His services in the Battle of 
Palo Alto. — Is Wounded. — His Death. — Remarks of a Baltimore Editor. — Eulogy 
of a Philadelphia Editor and Judge of Court 

Samuel Ringgold was born in Washington county, Maryland, 
in 1800. He was the eldest son of General Samuel Ringgold, and 
his mother was daughter of General John Cadwallader, a distin- 
guished citizen of Philadelphia, and renowned in the annals of the 
American revolution. Ringgold was sent to the Military Academy 
at West Point, in 1814, and graduated at the head of his class in 
1818, having performed the arduous duties and requirements of 
that institution with credit and honor to himself. He entered the 
army as a lieutenant. General Scott, having his head-quarters at 
Philadelphia, receiving recommendations of him, and being some- 
what acquainted with his family, and satisfied of his merit, selected 
him at once for one of his aids, and he repaired to head-quar- 
ters and joined the staff, which station he occupied for nearly three 
years. 

While aid to General Scott, he enjoyed the respect and confi- 
dence of that distinguished officer, and profited greatly by the in- 
struction he received under so accomplished a soldier. He pos- 
sessed those qualities of heart and mind that endeared him to his 
associates and his superiors, and he was one of those who may be 
said to have no enemies, though belonging to a profession so emi- 
nently calculated to engender envy, distrust, or rivalry. 

Upon leaving the staff he entered active service doubly qualified 
by the advantages he had enjoyed, and the close application he had 
pursued while in this honor jle position. He was attached to the 
third regiment as lieutena t by brevet, and in July, 1822, he was 
promoted to nrst-lieuten? X, vice Samuel Spotts raised to captain. 

In 1831, he accompanied his company to Fort Moultrie, South 
Carolina, where he remained until the difficulties occasioned by 



SKETCH OF RINGGOLD. 51 

the agitation of the question of "nullification" were ended in 
1833. 

In July, 1834, he received the rank of captain by brevet, to date 
from May 8, 1832. August, 1836, he was promoted to captain, 
and assigned Company C, third artillery. In the latter part of this 
month he was sent to Savannah, Georgia, with his command, to 
garrison the fort at that place. But not long subsequent to this he 
was ordered to Florida, where he served through the greater part 
of the war, to the great injury of his health. 

By orders of November 5, 1838, Captain Ringgold's company 
was disbanded, and he was instructed to proceed to Carlisle, Penn- 
sylvania, and organize and equip a company of light artillery, in 
conformity with an act " to authorize the mounting and equipment 
of a part of the army of the United States," passed 1831, the men 
to be detailed from the first and second artillery, and to be dropped 
from the rolls of their respective companies, and mustered as Com- 
pany C of third regiment. Captain Ringgold's former company, 
then in the field, was broken up, and the men transferred to the 
other companies of the regiment, the subalterns only joining the 
company at Carlisle. For " meritorious services" in Florida, the 
rank of major by brevet was conferred upon him by the depart- 
ment. 

Major Ringgold now applied himself diligently to the perfection 
of discipline in this arm of the military service, and with great 
success. Mainly through his and Captain Duncan's instrumental- 
ity, the arm of light or flying artillery has become the most impor- 
tant in our service ; and though perhaps it was never thoroughly 
tested until on the fields of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma, the 
great share it contributed to the result of those battles has distin- 
guished it as one altogether important, and demanding the serious 
attention of the department in its perfect organization and exten- 
sion. The performances of the flying artillery in an engagement 
are of the most ingenious character, and the effects of their bat- 
tery the most destructive to the enemy. The arms made use of 
are the sword, pistol, and cannon, the latter used almost, as ex- 
pertly as the former. " They advance rapidly, and with astonishing 
suddenness halt, dismount, separate their cannon from the car- 



52 LIFE OF GENERAL TAYLOR. 

riages, replace them, mount, and start off again. At a certain 
signal after the firing, they instantly drop ; while the enemy, sup- 
posing them disabled, venture too near, and in an instant are com- 
pletely surprised, and are shot down before they can collect them- 
selves." 

Major Ringgold was ordered from Fort McHenry to Texas with 
the army of occupation, or " observation" as it was first designated 
When General Taylor left Point Isabel to return to the fort oppo- 
site Matamoras, Major Ringgold, with his regiment, occupied a 
position near the vanguard. Upon reaching the field of Palo Alto, 
at about three o'clock, in the afternoon of the 8th of May, the ac- 
tion commenced by the Mexicans opening their batteries on their 
right, at a distance of half a mile from our line. The fire was re- 
sponded to by two eighteen-pounders in charge of Lieutenant 
Churchill. Major Ringgold now took position to the right and 
front of the eighteen-pounders, at a distance of seven hundred 
yards from the enemy, subsequently advancing one hundred yards, 
and opened his battery with tremendous effect, as was shown the 
next day by the large number of the enemy's dead found on the 
field along this line. 

Major Ringgold pointed the guns with his own hand, and with 
unerring precision, directing the shot not only to groups and masses 
of the enemy, but to particular men in their lines. He saw them 
fall in numbers ; their places occupied by others, who in their turn 
were shot down, pointing his guns to the same place ; and, to use 
his own words, he " felt as confident of hitting his mark as though 
he had been using a rifle." The infantry was formed in his rear 
as his support, and cheered rapturously the brilliant movements 
and destructive execution of his battery, while they received the 
enemy's fire with great coolness at a shoulder, impatient only for 
the order to charge. 

At length a regiment of the enemy's lancers were seen to make 
a demonstration towards our right, apparently to gain possession 
of our wagon train, when Lieutenant Ridgley was detached with 
two pieces to check the movement. This left Major Ringgold 
short of men, or rather with a less number than he desired, and 
considered actually necessary to execute his movement with celer- 



SKETCH OF RINGGOLD. 53 

ity, and to supply the places of those who fell or became disabled. 
This was a source of regret, even in his last moments, that he was 
not enabled to do the execution he otherwise would had his com- 
plement of men been one hundred instead of little over half that 
number. But he gallantly and nobly did his duty. Not a shade 
of incapacity, want of diligence, lack of bravery on the battle- 
field, can rest on his memory, or the sunshine of his military 
character. 

Major Ringgold, however, continued to play on the enemy with 
great success with his remaining pieces, two in number, advancing, 
retrograding, or shifting his position according to the nature of the 
action, for three hours, when he was shot through both thighs by a 
six pound ball. He was mounted, and the ball came from the 
right, passing through his right thigh about midway, at right angles 
through the holsters, tearing away the front part of the saddle and 
the horse's shoulders, and into the Major's left thigh. An officer 
came quickly to his aid — 

" Don't stay with me ; you have work to do" said the gallant 
Major ; " go ahead:' The command of his company fell on Lieu- 
tenant Shover, who managed the batteries skilfully during the rest 
of the day. 

He was conveyed to his camp in the charge of Dr. Byrne, of the 
army, placed in comfortable quarters, and his wounds dressed. An 
immense mass of muscles and integuments were carried away from 
both thighs — the arteries were not divided, neither were the bones 
broken. Dr. Foltz, surgeon United States army, remained with him 
through the night. He had but little pain, and at intervals slept. 
He continued to grow worse through the 9th, but conversed cheer- 
fully upon the incidents of the battle, constantly adverting to the effi- 
ciency of his guns, and the brave conduct of his officers and men. 
He died at one o'clock on the morning of the 10th May, and was 
buried on the next day with military honors, lamented by the whole 
camp. 

Says a Baltimore editor, he was " an accomplished gentleman, 
beloved by his friends, respected by all. He was devoted to his 
profession, and justly appreciated the high responsibilities of an 
officer in command. He rigidly enforced discipline, at all times 



54 LIFE OF GENERAL TAYLOR. 

and in all things ; and yet, probably, no officer had more entirely 
the respect, the confidence, and the affectionate regard of all his 
officers and men." 

Upon the news of Major R.'s death reaching Baltimore, a mo- 
tion was made in the county court, then in session, to adjourn, in 
consequence of a close relation existing between the leading coun- 
sel in the case under consideration and the deceased, which motion 
was agreed to. ""udge Legrand, in his remarks on the event, 
closed as follows : " Major Ringgold was a citizen of Baltimore, 
known to us all, to some of us intimately, and by whomsoever, and 
wheresoever known, recognised as a gentleman of the highest sense 
of honor, and of the kindliest feelings of which humanity is suscep- 
tible. He is gone, but the fame his late brilliant conduct won will 
hereafter constitute the pride and the history of his country." 

"We close this brief sketch with an eloquent extract (and we hope 
not fulsome eulogy) from the Philadelphia North American news- 
paper, valuing more highly the testimony of those who knew the 
subject best with regard to his superior qualities as an officer, and 
amiabilities as a man. " The death of this accomplished officer is a 
heavy loss to the country. He had been intrusted with the revision 
of a system of tactics for our army, and devoted much time and 
study to improving upon the English and French system. His 
corps was as fine a one as any service could boast. He leaves un- 
finished, we think, a work which he was preparing, on the utility 
and practicability of the flying artillery arm in service. Major R.'s 
constitution was much impaired by his long campaigns in Florida ; 
but, passionately attached to the profession of arms, he still re- 
mained in the army, and died a martyr to his country. 

" His death has stricken thousands of hearts, that gush under 
the blow, with feelings which no ordinary public calamity could 
havi excited. He was generally known and appreciated in this 
city as the Bayard of the age — the star of the war ; and his career 
was watched with anxious eyes and hearts. That it would be glo- 
rious no one doubted ; but who thought that an orb so bright would 
sink so early ? The soul of chivalry and honor, accomplished as a 
soldier, lofty as a patriot, beloved as a man, it demands an agoni- 
zing struggle to reconcile us to such a sacrifice. And yet it is a 



SKETCH OF RINGGOLD. 55 

noble one. In the flash of his fame he has died, as he lived — for 
his country. The offering was doubtless a glad one. He desired 
no better fate than such a death ; he could leave no richer inherit- 
ance than such an example. While we feel as if destiny hid robbed 
the future of the fame which such a nature must have won, we 
dare not repine that his career has been closed, in its morning, with 
this sunburst of glory. His memory will be gratefully cherished 
so long as honor has a victory, freedom a hero, or his country a 
name." 



56 L "E OF GENERAL TAYLOR. 

CHAPTER VIII. 

Major Brown. — Colonel Cross, and Captain Walker. 

The services Major J. Brown has rendered his country are too 
well known to require an extended notice of them here. He was 
a " Green-mountain boy," — a native of Vermont, — and entered the 
American army as a common soldier in the 7th infantry, at the 
commencement of the war of 1812, at the age of twenty-four or 
twenty-five. His merit was soon perceived in the active service 
of the war upon the northern frontier, and quickly won for him an 
ensign's commission. 

Major Brown was in nearly all the hard-fought battles on the 
Niagara during the years 1813 and '14. Before the close of the 
war he obtained a lieutenancy, and from that rose by regular gra- 
dations to the rank of major, in which capacity he has served for 
many years. For some time he filled the office of commissary of 
subsistence at Council Bluffs, afterwards quartermaster and com- 
missary at St. Louis. At one time he was employed in conduct- 
ing the tribes of emigrant Indians to the west, and was in active 
service during the whole period of the war in Florida. 

His habits of exact discipline and strict accountability made his 
sd vices always in request. Possessing the confidence of his su- 
periors, and the good will of those under his command, he was an 
officer in the proper acceptation of the term. 

It is from officers such as these that the country expects sub- 
stantial benefit to the service — men of tried courage, of patient 
endurance, of exactness, punctuality, and system, to whom integ- 
rity is like an instinct, who have learned their profession well, and 
known the advantages of discipline in the army, and whose moral 
characteristics are firmness and perseverance, to the accomplish- 
ment of grand or important achievements, and whose shrewdness 
and judgment were adequate to the task of directing energies re- 
quired for such service. 

In placing Major Brown in command of the works opposite Ma- 



SKETCH OF MAJOR BROWN. 57 

tamoras, General Taylor displayed his sagacity in the knowledge 
of character and officer-like qualities in a comrade in arms, which 
perhaps his experience and actual observation helped him to foresee. 
He found also the trust and confidence he reposed in that command, 
were not misplaced, and the great regret and sorrow is, that that 
gallant officer should have fallen ere his task should have been 
successfully acquitted, and the laurel placed upon his brows ; that 
the army should have lost at this time so valuable an officer, and 
the country so worthy and efficient a defender. 

The bombardment of the fort opposite Matamoras has been de- 
scribed in another place. Major Brown was given the command 
on the 1st of May, at which time General Taylor set out for Point 
Isabel. His command consisted of about six hundred men. The 
bombardment commenced on the 3d, and, on the 6th, at ten o'clock 
in the morning, a shell which had been thrown from the enemy's 
battery, in rear of the fort, fell near where commander Brown was 
standing, bursted, and mangled one of his legs in such a manner as 
to cause his death three days after, amputation having been per- 
formed on the day he was wounded. In honor of the late com- 
mander, General Taylor gave the works the designation of " Fort 
Brown." 

General Taylor, in his official communication, says, " it affords 
me peculiar pleasure to report that the field-work opposite Mata- 
moras has sustained itself handsomely during a cannonade and bom- 
bardment of one hundred and sixty hours. But the pleasure is 
alloyed with profound regret at the loss of its heroic and indomita- 
ble commander, Major Brown, who died to-day from the effect of 
a shell. His loss would be a severe one to the service at any time, 
but to the army under my orders, it is indeed irreparable." 



Captain Montgomery. — We take pleasure in alluding to the 
gallant commander of the 8th infantry in connection with these 
actions, on the 8th and 9th of May, in the strongest terms of com- 
mendation. The services rendered by his corps, as represented in 
the official reports, were the most efficient and important. When 
the action of. the 8th of May commenced, Captain Montgomery was 
situated on the extreme left, Captain Duncan's battery on his right, 



58 LIFE OP GENERAL TAYLOR. 

and Lieutenant-colonel Childs with his battalion of artillery on the 
right of Captain Duncan. All these composing the 1st brigade, 
under command of Lieutenant-colonel Belknap, moved in this 
order until the enemy opened his batteries. When the brigade 
was halted, Captain Duncan advanced with his battery about two 
hundred yards, which position he held for nearly two hours, keep- 
ing up a most destructive fire on the enemy during the time, while 
Captain Montgomery, with his regiment, supported this flank 
amidst a galling fire from the enemy's well-aimed artillery. 

The firing ceased, and the army was ordered to advance and 
take position somewhat nearer the enemy ; the battalion of artillery 
taking post in rear and to right of the two eighteen-pounders com- 
manded by Lieutenant Churchill, Captain Duncan's artillery on 
their left, and Captain Montgomery with 8th infantry on the left 
and to the rear of Duncan's battery. The enemy was now seen to 
be moving with the entire cavalry and infantry force of his right 
wing upon the flank of this line. Captain Duncan was ordered to 
proceed with all possible dispatch to check this movement, which 
he did, supported by the 8th infantry. They dashed back to the 
threatened point with such alacrity and with such bold and brilliant 
manoeuvring as to strike the enemy with dismay, and he pulled up 
to a halt before a shot had been fired, or the guns unlimbered. 
They engaged within point-blank range of his small guns, and drove 
him back with great loss. 

A strong body of the enemy's infantry supported by two squad- 
rons of cavalry now debouched from the extreme right point of the 
chaparral, and moved steadily forward to the attack ; one section 
of the battery opened upon them with round shot and shells so well 
directed that the whole advance, horse and foot, fell back in dis- 
order to the bushes. This column of the enemy, however, re- 
formed in the chaparral and moved forward a second time, but 
were driven back by the above corps with even greater success 
than at first. Their supporting cavalry also abandoned them, and 
a full retreat was commenced. The advantage was followed up 
by both sections of the battery, which was made to bear upon the 
enemy's flying columns, and a brisk and destructive fire was kept 
up till they disappeared, or darkness put an end to the battle. 



SKETCH OF CAPT. MONTGOMERY. 59 

On the following day at about three o'clock P. M., the 1st bri- 
gade being within one mile of the enemy's position on Resaca de 
la Palma, Captain Montgomery received orders to move up in 
company with Duncan's battery, which he did in double quick 
time. Arriving at the scene of action, he charged the enemy on 
the right of the road most gallantly, and drove him from his posi- 
tion. He now hastened to follow up the charge of Captain May, 
of the 2d dragoons, who had previously carried one of the enemy's 
batteries. Captain Montgomery formed in the road and led his 
command upon the enemy's battery, which had been retaken by 
the Mexicans, and executed the movement with such celerity and 
vigor as to secure it. He now charged along the ravine between the 
enemy's two lines, amidst a heavy fire from the front, left and right, 
drove the supporting column before him for half a mile, taking the 
enemy's right and last battery, and destroying him in great num- 
bers. Captain Montgomery pursued vigorously into the chaparral 
on the opposite side of the ravine, until, from the rapid flight of the 
enemy, further pursuit was useless. 

Captain Montgomery was joined in this charge by Captain Mar- 
tin Scott, Lieutenants Ruggles and Crittenden, with a command 
of 5th infantry, as stated in our account of this engagement. 

We have thus hurriedly and briefly spoken of the events of these 
actions in which Captain Montgomery was personally concerned, 
and we confess they exhibit him and his regiment in a most favora- 
ble light. Their position was at all times during the battles one 
of imminent peril and exposure, and the loss which they sustained 
is sufficient evidence that they took a most hazardous and active 
part. The loss in killed and wounded of this regiment, on both 
days, was more than one-third the loss of the whole army. 

In the action of the 8th Captain Montgomery's horse was killed 
under him ; and in the charge of the 9th Captain Montgomery was 
wounded in the shoulder by a grape shot. 

Captain Montgomery is a native of Monmouth county, New Jer- 
sey, s^n of James Montgomery, a revolutionary soldier. He gra- 
duated at West Point in 1825, was made captain 1838, was sta- 
tioned at Tampa Bay in 1840, and followed General Taylor to 
Corpus Christi in the Army of Occupation. 



60 LIFE OF GENERAL TAYLOR. 



COLONEL CROSS. 

Colonel Truman Cross was a native of Maryland, and son 
of Colonel Cross of Prince George's County. He commenced 
life in humble circumstances, but by great industry and applica- 
tion, had won his way to fortune as well as distinction. He 
served many years under General Jackson in Florida and else- 
where, and was highly esteemed by that distinguished man, than 
whom few could better judge of qualifications for an office re- 
quiring courage and activity. Under that great disciplinarian Col. 
Cross acquired a knowledge of military tactics that rendered him 
very useful to the service, and led to distinction of rank. His 
name is well known in the annals of engagements with the enemy 
at the south. 

He was appointed assistant quartermaster-general, and had pro- 
ceeded to the Rio Grande with the army of occupation. On the 
twelfth day after their encamping opposite Matamoras, he rode 
from camp in company with his little son, and none other, as is 
supposed. The boy returned, but the father did not. The alarm 
was given upon his being missed, and parties went out in every 
direction, and scoured the swamps and chaparrals for considerable 
distance round about without success, until the search was given 
over, and it was generally supposed that he had been taken pris- 
oner. General Taylor wrote a letter to Ampudia, the Mexican 
commander, requesting him to aid in solving the mystery, but also 
without satisfactory result, and his fate remained in suspense for 
fourteen days, when his lifeless body was found in a state of muti- 
lation, which left no doubt that he had been attacked and killed by 
Mexicans. 

Whereupon the following order was issued by the commanding 
general. 

" Head-Quarters, Army of Occupation, ) 
April 25, 1846. ) 

" The commanding general has the painful duty of announcing 
that the doubt which has so long prevailed in regard to the fate of 



SKETCH OF COLONEL CROSS. 61 

the late Colonel Cross, has at length been resolved into the melan- 
choly certainty of his death, and, there is too much reason to fear, 
by violent hands. 

" The high rank of the deceased, and the ability and energy 
which he carried into the discharge of the important duties of his 
office, will cause his loss to be seriously felt in the service, while 
the untoward circumstances of his demise will render it peculiarly 
afflicting to his family and personal friends. 

" The remains of the late colonel will be interred with military 
honors at 4 p. m. to-morrow. The funeral escort will be composed 
of a squadron of dragoons and eight companies of infantry ; the 
latter to be taken from the 2d Brigade, and the whole to be or- 
ganized and commanded by Colonel Twiggs. The necessary ar- 
rangements for the funeral ceremony will be made by Lieut. Col. 
Payne, Inspector General. 

" By order of 

" Brig. Gen. Taylor." 

The editor of Niles's National Register thus notices the death 
of this valuable and brave officer : 

" War is a horrible evil. The first victim in this new war into 
which our country is now plunged, has brought with it a deepen- 
ing sense of the evils inseparable from the mad conflict of man 
with man, be the occasion what it may. An acquaintance, formed 
in early life — a warm and steadfast friend from the commencement 
of that acquaintance — a generous, open-hearted, ardent, intelli- 
gent, and talented man ; — one who was in all the attributes a man 
among men, is the first victim. His father, forty years since, 
through many an ardent struggle, political and national, was shoul- 
der to shoulder with us, in war with arms in his hand, and in peace 
or war, with as ardent patriotism at heart as ever animated a citi- 
zen and a republican. His son is snatched from our hopes, as 
well as from a wide circle of friends, and from his own wife, now 
widowed, and left with her orphans to a life — how desolate and 
lonely ! Wreaths may encircle the brow of victors in the coming 
contest, but what shall compensate for suffering, of which this is 
but the type, that must be the price at which they are purchased ?" 



62 LIFE OP GENERAL TAYLOR. 



CAPTAIN WALKER. 

Captain Samuel H. Walker is a native of Prince George, 
Maryland, and repaired to Texas from the 'city of Washington, 
originally, where he formerly lived. His fearless daring soon dis- 
tinguished him, in the efforts of the Texans to acquire their inde- 
pendence. He was employed in the expedition against Meir, in 
1842, but having adventured into the Mexican territories in ad- 
vance of the Texans he was taken prisoner with his comrades, and 
held during the battle of Meir. When the Texans surrendered, 
he with the rest was marched to Matamoras, and from thence to 
the castle of Perote, on their way to Mexico. The prisoners for a 
time were treated with some degree of kindness ; but as they ad- 
vanced into the country, the Mexican officers, under whose charge 
they were, threw off the restraints which their articles of agreement 
imposed, and evinced towards them the most unfeeling barbarity. 

The Mexican soldiers had repeatedly been allowed to beat them, 
and the young officers, whose conduct in this respect was widely 
different from that of their seniors in the Mexican service, treated 
them with a severity as disgraceful as it was unjust. On reaching 
Salado, stung to desperation by the cruelty they received, they re- 
solved to rush upon their guards and make their escape ; — among 
the privates foremost in this charge was Walker. When the sig- 
nal was given he seized one of the sentinels at the inner-door of 
the prison-yard, and Cameron, a gallant Scotchman, who was af- 
terwards by order of tue President shot in cold blood, seized the 
other. Both were disarmed instantly, and the Texans rushed into 
the outer court, where the arms and cartridge-boxes were guarded 
by 150 of the Mexican infantry. These were speedily driven out, 
and while the Texans were arming themselves, the Mexican caval- 
ry and a company of infantry formed in front of the outer gate. 
The Texans charged through them, killing nine or ten and wound- 
ing more, and themselves sustaining a loss of five killed and five 
wounded. The Texans engaged in this affair numbered 214 — 
the Mexicans 300. 

The escaped Texans soon lost their way, became involved in 



SKETCH OF CAPTAIN WALKER. 63 

the mountains, were deceived by false information, reduced to 
the extremities of hunger and thirst, and finally recaptured by 
straggling parties. They were again taken to Salad o, decimated 
by order of the commander, Santa Anna, and every tenth man shot ! 
• After passing through some and escaping others of the misfor- 
tunes that attended this expedition, he finally escaped from the 
city of Mexico in company with eight others. This expedition 
originally consisted of two hundred and sixty-one men. Of these 
ten were killed at the battle of Meir, and six others subsequently 
died of wounds received there ; five fell at the attack upon the 
guard at Salado, seventeen were shot at the decimation, five died 
in the mountains, thirty-five died of suffering and starvation in 
Mexico, eleven were released through the intervention of ministers, 
eight wounded at Meir. effected their escape, and the remainder, 
of whom the subject of this sketch was one, escaped from Mexico. 

Walker then joined the Texan revenue service, and was an effi- 
cient member. But when the army of occupation entered the 
country on its way to Corpus Christi and Point Isabel, he joined 
the forces at the head of a company of partisan rangers. Upon ar- 
riving, at the place of destination, he was placed between Point 
Isabel and the camp opposite Matamoras, to keep open the com- 
munication between them. Learning from the teamsters who had 
started out from Point Isabel with stores for the camp, that the 
road was obstructed by the Mexicans, so that they were obliged to 
return, Captain Walker started out on the morning of the 28th 
of April, with his whole force, about seventy-five men, to recon- 
noitre, and if possible open a communication with General Taylor. 

He had proceeded about twelve miles, when he fell in with a 
large body of Mexicans, supposed to be fifteen hundred in number. 
They appeared very suddenly. A portion of Captain Walker's 
troops were raw ; these he instructed to keep on his right, and gave 
orders to the whole to retire under cover of a chaparral. But his 
raw troops, panic-stricken, scattered in confusion. An engage- 
ment, however, ensued, which lasted fifteen minutes, in which 
thirty at least of the enemy fell, as is supposed. Captain Walker 
was forced to retreat from the overwhelming force that advanced 
upon him. The enemy pursued him till within range of our guns 



64 LIFE OF GENERAL TAYLOR. 

at Point Isabel, when they in turn retreated. Captain Walker's 
loss has never been officially stated. 

Captain Walker reached the depot on the same day at night, and 
so far from being deterred by the disaster he had met with, instant- 
ly volunteered, if four men would join him, to proceed to General 
Taylor's camp at the risk of his life, acquaint him with the situa- 
tion of affairs at Point Isabel, and bring back any orders he might 
intrust him with. A communication with General Taylor at this 
time was the more necessary, as Major Munroe for two days had 
been expecting an attack on the post of Point Isabel, which he 
commanded ; and as the transit of stores or intelligence had been 
interrupted for three days, it was highly important that the com- 
mander should be apprized of the situation of affairs, in order that he 
might take any measures he might think proper in the emergency. 

Major Munroe accepted the offer of Captain Walker, and the re- 
quired number, with two additional, bravely volunteered to accompa- 
ny him. The enterprise was considered a very hazardous, almost 
fool-hardy one, but they set out on the next morning, April 29th. 
They reached Gen. Taylor's camp the next day, and were the first to 
acquaint the commander of the situation of affairs at Point Isabel ; 
and he set out the next day with his army to open communication. 

On the field of Palo Alto, as will be seen by the account of that 
battle, he took an active part in repulsing the movement of the 
Mexican cavalry on our right, in connection with the fifth infantry, 
and a section of Major Ringgold's battery under Lieutenant Ridg- 
ley. Also in the engagement of Resaca de la Palma he did valu- 
able service, for an account of which the reader is referred to the 
details of that battle. General Taylor, in his dispatch, says : " In 
this connection I would mention the services of Captain Walker, 
of the Texas rangers, who was in both affairs, with his company, 
and who has performed very meritorious services as a spy and 
partisan." For his gallantry on the Rio Grande Walker has been 
appointed captain in the United States army. 

After the capture of Matamoras, Captain Walker was sent out 
with a company of dragoons to observe the Mexican army on their 
retreat. In this scout he had a skirmish with the vanguard of the 
enemy, in which he killed several, and took twenty-five prisoners. 



SKETCH OF CAPTAIN MAY. 65 

CHAPTER IX. 

Captain May, and Lieutenant Ridgley. 

Captain C. A. May is an officer of intrepid valor, and in the 
engagements of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma he rendered 
valuable service to our cause, in the last of which battles he cap- 
tured La Vega, one of the Mexican generals, in almost as hazard- 
ous a position as he secured Philip, a Seminole chief, in the 
Florida war. Previous to the collision of the two armies he was 
stationed at Point Isabel, and made himself useful in reconnoitring 
the enemy, and actually passed round the Mexican camp on the 
4th with his squadron, while on the field of Palo Alto. 

General Taylor left Point Isabel with his whole army on the 7th 
May, and bivouacked seven miles distant that night. The next day, 
after proceeding about five miles, the Mexican forces appeared in 
view, in large numbers, and at one o'clock the line of battle was 
formed on the field of Palo Alto. Captain May's regiment was 
posted on the right, Captain M.'s squadron under the immediate 
orders of the general commanding, and subsequently detached to 
support Captain Duncan's battery, which had been thrown forward 
in advance of the line, and was doing good execution. We, how- 
ever, subjoin Captain May's report, which describes the part he 
took, though modestly stated, in both engagements. 



Dragoon Camp, Resaca de la Palma, 
On the battle-ground, May 10th, 184C 



} 



" Sir, — Having been detached from the head-quarters of my 
regiment with my squadron, and acting under the immediate orders 
of the commanding-general during the actions of the 8th and 9th 
instant, it becomes my duty to report the services which the squad- 
ron I had the honor to command rendered during these actions. 

" You are aware that my first orders on the 8th were to strengthen 
the left flank of the army and sustain Captain Duncan's battery ; 
in this position I lost two horses killed and two wounded. 

" About half an hour before sunset I received orders to proceed 

9 



66 -LIFE OF GENERAL TAYLOR 

to the enemy's left flank and drive in his cavalry. In execution 
of these orders, and while passing the General and his staff, the 
enemy concentrated the fire from their batteries upon us, killing six 
of my horses and wounding five men. I succeeded in gaining a 
position on the enemy's left with a view of charging his cavalry, 
but found him in such force as to render ineffectual a charge from 
my small command, and therefore returned, in obedience to my in- 
structions, to my first position, where I remained until the close of 
the action, which terminated very shortly afterwards. Thus ended 
the service of my squadron on the 8th. 

" On the morning of the 9th my squadron was actively employed 
in reconnoitring the chaparral in advance of the field of the '8th, 
and on the advance of the army I took my position as the advance- 
guard. When about half a mile from the position which the ene- 
my were reported to have taken, I was ordered to halt and allow 
the artillery and infantry to pass, and await further orders. I re- 
mained in this position about three quarters of an hour, when I re- 
ceived orders to report with my squadron to the General. I did so, 
and was ordered by the General to charge the enemy's batteries 
and drive them from their pieces, which was rapidly executed, with 
loss of Lieutenant Inge, seven privates, and eighteen horses killed, 
and Sergeant Muley, nine privates, and ten horses wounded. Lieu- 
tenant Sackett and Sergeant Story, in the front by my side, had 
their horses killed under them, and Lieutenant Inge was gallantly 
leading his platoon when he fell. We charged entirely through the 
enemy's batteries of seven pieces — Captain Graham, accompanied 
by Lieutenants Winship and Pleasanton, leading the charge against 
the pieces on the left of the road, and myself, accompanied by 
Lieutenants Inge, Stevens, and Sackett, those on the direct road, 
and gained the rising ground on the opposite side of the ravine. 
The charge was made under a heavy fire of the enemy's batteries, 
which accounts for my great loss. After gaining the rising ground 
in the rear I could rally but six men, and with these I charged 
their gunners, who had regained their pieces, drove them off, and 
took prisoner General Vega, whom I found gallantly fighting in 
person at his battery. I ordered him to surrender, and on recog- 
nising me as an officer, he handed me his sword. I brought him, 



SKETCH OF CAPTAIN MAY. 67 

under a heavy fire of their infantry, to our lines, accompanied by 
Lieutenant Stevens and a sergeant of my squadron. I then direct- 
ed Lieutenant Stevens to conduct him in safety to our rear, and 
present his sword to the commanding general. 

" From this time until the enemy were routed, I was engaged in 
collecting my men, who had become scattered in our lines. J suc- 
ceeded in assembling half of my squadron, and joined the army in 
pursuit of the enemy, until he crossed the Rio Grande, from which 
I returned to camp. 

" I cannot speak in terms of sufficient praise of the steadiness 
and gallantry of the officers and men of my command. They all 
behaved with that spirit of courage and noble daring which distin- 
guished the whole army in this memorable action, and achieved the 
most brilliant victory of the age. 

" I have the honor to be, &c. 

" C. A. May, 

" Captain 2d Dragoons, commanding 2d squadron. 
" Lieutenant McDonald, Adjutant 2d Dragoons." 

For the personal history of Captain May we have scanty mate- 
rial. He is a native of the city of Washington, son of Dr. May of 
that place. " On organizing the second regiment of dragoons, 
during General Jackson's administration, he was among those who, 
from civil life, received a commission as lieutenant in the corps, 
and was ordered to Florida, where the regiment was subjected to 
severe active service against the Seminoles, and the lieutenant was 
intrusted with many responsible duties. One of those led him into 
a personal rencontre with the celebrated chief of the tribe, Philip, 
whose camp a charge was made upon, and who was knocked down 
and secured by Lieutenant May, at the moment he was raising his 
rifle to shoot the daring young officer." 

An anecdote is related, for the occurrence of which we cannot 
vouch : On the 9th, when the charge was about to be made on the 
Mexican battery, General Taylor, in passing his lines, accosted 
Captain May. 

" Sir," said he, " your command has done nothing yet. You 
must take that battery." 



68 LIFE OF GENERAL TAYLOR. 

" Men," said Captain May, " we must take that battery ! 
Charge !" 

The result is known. He was mounted on his favorite charger, 
" Tom," the same on which he made the charge upon Philip's 
camp, and who now received a severe wound. The second dra- 
goons at the charge comprised seventy men and officers, of whom 
nine were killed and eleven wounded ; and of the horses, twenty- 
six were killed and ten wounded. 

Having made the charge, they rode over the battery, wheeled 
and came through the enemy's lines, while the fire of the infantry 
was'so deadly in its effect as to carry all before it. Captain May 
made a cut at an officer as he charged through, and on returning 
he found him standing between the cannon wheels, fighting like a 
hero. He ordered him to surrender. He inquired if he was an 
officer. Captain May answered him in the affirmative, when he 
presented his sword, saying, "-You receive General Vega a pris- 
oner of war." 

Captain May is represented as presenting a very whimsical and 
eccentric appearance — " with a beard extending to his breast, and 
hair to his shoulders, which, as he cuts through the wind on his 
charger, streams out in all directions. His gait on foot is awkward, 
and that of his horse (an immense one) is the rack of a Canadian 
pony." 



LIEUTENANT RIDGLEY. 

Randolph Ridgley is a Marylander, and son of General 
Charles Sterret Ridgley, of Elkridge, Anne Arundel county, Ma- 
ryland. He belongs to the third artillery, and in the battle of the 
9th May did most valuable service with his light-artillery battery, 
commanded, before he fell, by Major Ringgold. The manner in 
which he took his battery into action on the commencement of 
that bat'Je, and the skill ar.d bravery with which he managed it, 
raised him high in the estimation of the army. 

At the commencement of the action on the 8th, after having ad- 
vanced to within six hundred yards of the enemy's lines, and open- 



SKETCH OF LIEUT. RIDGLEY. 69 

ing his battery with dreadful execution, Lieutenant Ridgley was 
detached from Major Ringgold with a section, consisting of two 
pieces, to operate with the fifth infantry, which had been sent for- 
ward to oppose a flank movement of the enemy making on the 
right of our army. He had already lost one man and two horses. 
Upon taking his position on the right of the fifth, who were in 
square, he at once unlimbered and commenced firing. The effect 
of his fire was tremendous, and he very shortly saw the enemy's 
artillery and cavalry, which was in large force, particularly the lat- 
ter, retiring. His fire proved effective in frustrating this grand 
movement of the enemy. Brevet second-lieutenant French had 
the immediate charge of one of the pieces. Lieutenant Ridgley 
continued changing his position from point to point until dark, 
when he encamped, and then learned the melancholy intelligence 
that Major Ringgold had been mortally wounded. 

The engagement of the 9th on the field of Resaca de la Palma 
was opened upon our side by Lieutenant Ridgley's battery. He 
was ordered to the front with his battery, and Captain Walker with 
his rangers was sent to point out the exact position. After moving 
very cautiously for a short distance, Lieutenant Ridgley discovered 
the Mexicans about four hundred yards in advance in the road, and 
almost instantly their artillery opened. He then moved rapidly to 
the front for about one hundred yards and returned their fire, which 
was kept up very spiritedly on both sides for some time, the two 
batteries firing canister and grape at each other when not more 
than one hundred yards apart. 

As soon as the enemy's fire slackened, Lieutenant Ridgley lim- 
bered up and moved rapidly forward, never unlimbering unless 
seeing them in front, or perceiving from the fire of their infantry 
they were on his flanks. After having advanced in this manner 
about five hundred yards, Captain May, second dragoons, rode up, 
and said to Lieutenant Ridgley, " Where are they ? I am going 
to charge." Lieutenant Ridgley gave them a volley to point the 
way, and Captain May dashed gallantly forward, in columns of 
fours, at the head of his squadron. Lieutenant Ridgley followed 
quickly at a gallop, only halting when he came upon the edge of a 
ravine, where he found three pieces of artillery, but no cannoniers ; 



70 LIFE OF GENERAL TAYLOR. 

however, their infantry poured into him a galling fire at from 
twenty-five to fifty paces ; and here ensued a most desperate 
struggle, but our infantry coming up they were completely routed. 
Their cavalry came so near that at one time Lieutenant Ridgley 
cut at them with his sabre. 

On the occasion we have just related, Lieutenant Ridgley's com- 
pany was the only artillery used, but were sadly deficient in men, 
so that the officers, during the greater portion of the engagement, 
and always when closely pressed, had to perform the duties of not 
only one but two cannoniers, handling their own shot and firing 
their own pieces. 

For his gallantry in these engagements the citizens of Howard 
District, Maryland, forwarded to Lieutenant Ridgley an elegant 
sword. He has also been appointed assistant adjutant-general 
with brevet rank of captain. 



LIFE OF GENERAL TAYLOR. 71 



CHAPTER X. 

Movement of the Array of Occupation from Corpus Christi. — All matters connected 
with the Campaign to the time of the enemy's crossing. 

In September General Taylor established his head-quarters at 
Corpus Christi. But this was intended as a temporary rendezvous, 
as the position is far in the rear of the legitimate boundary of 
Texas, but a permanent depot was calculated upon as advantage- 
ous and secure, as its distance from the Rio Grande was a security 
against surprise by any hostile movement of the Mexicans, while 
its location on the sea-shore furnished the best facilities for the dis- 
embarking of troops and landing munitions of war. 

Remaining here nearly six months, during which time some 
regiments of regular troops were received, General Taylor sent 
scouts forward to the Rio Grande to make discovery of a suitable 
position for encamping the army permanently. These scouts re- 
turned in the latter part of February, and reported favorably with 
regard to Point Isabel as a place for a general depot. 

In the fore part of March, the army began to move from Corpus 
Christi for the Rio Grande, and on the 8th of this month General 
Taylor issued his proclamation and orders concerning his evacua- 
tion of the present encampment. The distance to be accomplished 
was one hundred and nineteen miles, which, owing to the swampy 
state of the country, was a task of considerable hardship, at a sea- 
son of the year too when the alluvial soil was completely saturated 
with water. Two reconnoitring detachments, commanded by Cap- 
tain Hardee and Lieutenant Hamilton, preceded the movement. 
They approached the Rio Grande opposite Brazos Santiago, via 
Isla del Padre, the other by the old Matamoras road, near Sal 
Colorado. 

General Mejia, in command at Matamoras, on hearing of their 
approach, mustered every soldier there, and crossed the Rio Grande 
in person, under the impression that he should meet the advance 
of the army. He marched as far as the Colorado creek, with all 



72 LIFE OF GENERAL TAYLOR. 

possible dispatch, having under his command about seven hundred 
and fifty men, when, now sixty or seventy miles from Matamoras, 
he learned these detachments had returned to the camp at Corpus 
Christi. His rage may be imagined, and is described in a letter 
from Matamoras as excessive, and beyond bounds, he having ex- 
pected to win a wreath of laurels before his return. The Mexi- 
can force at this time on the frontier was about two thousand sol- 
diers and five hundred rancheros ; under Generals Canales, Mejia, 
Garcia, Saveriego, and La Vega. General Garcia was stationed 
at Point Isabel, with about two hundred and eighty men, mostly 
infantry and artillery. 

General Taylor advanced ahead of his army, with a company of 
dragoons under Colonel Twiggs, and reached Point Isabel on the 
24th of March, the fleet of transports arriving at the same time. 
Isabel is a bluff or promontory of sixty feet elevation, on the north 
side of the Rio Grande, a few miles below the Mexican city of 
Matamoras, which is situated upon the southern side of that river. 
When near Point Isabel with the dragoons, General Taylor was 
met by thirty or forty men, bearing a proclamation and message 
from General Mejia, protesting against invasion, and gasconading 
of defence. At the same moment, the conflagration of the custom- 
house, and several buildings at Point Isabel, which Rodriguez, the 
commandant, had set fire to on the approach of the fleet of trans- 
ports, was discovered. General Taylor dismissed the deputation, 
informing them that he would reply to General Mejia in four days, 
opposite to Matamoras. Rodriguez was pursued some distance, 
but made good his retreat to the river. 

On the 26th, General Taylor set out from Point Isabel, leaving 
one company of artillery under command of Major Munroe, and 
proceeded for the army opposite Matamoras, a distance of twenty- 
eight miles, arriving the next day. On the 28th March, the forces, 
numbering about three thousand five hundred, encamped, while the 
Mexicans were drawn up upon the opposite bank of the stream, 
making a great display of martial music, trumpets, flags, etc., which 
music was responded to from the American lines, so as to be distinctly 
heard, for the distance was not above two hundred and fifty yards. 

On the next morning, the American troops discovered the Mexi- 



GENERAL EVENTS. 73 

can artillery of eighteen-pounders lining the opposite bank, and 
pointing directly into their camp. Of this battery, General Taylor 
took no notice. 

Matters remained thus for several days, the Mexicans manifest- 
ing great anger, but no open assault. Upon one occasion, General 
Worth crossed the river with a dispatch from General Taylor, but 
they would not permit him to enter the town, nor would General 
Mejia receive him, but sent one of his officers, with the message 
that he would not receive personally any officer but the command- 
ing-general himself. General Worth did not deliver the dispatch. 
In this interview General Worth made General de la Vega the 
following terse reply : " It is an easy matter for Mexico to deter- 
mine when and where the war shall commence, but it would re- 
main for the United States to determine when and where it should 
terminate." 

On the 11th of April General Ampudia marched into Matamoras 
with one thousand cavalry and fifteen hundred infantry ; and on 
the next day he notified General Taylor to break up his camp 
within twenty-four hours, and retire to the eastern bank of the 
Nueces. This notification was of a threatening character, and was 
regarded by General Taylor as of a belligerent nature. He ac- 
cordingly instructed the military commander at the Brazos to con- 
sider the Mexican army as in a hostile attitude. Two Mexican 
vessels from New Orleans were daily expected to arrive with stores 
and supplies for the troops at Matamoras, and General Taylor or- 
dered the commander at Brazos to seize them when they reached 
that place. 

To the notification of General Ampudia, General Taylor replied, 
that he had been instructed by the President of the United States 
to occupy the territory east of the Rio Grande. He came there, 
he said, without any hostile intention, either towards the govern- 
ment or the people of Mexico, but any attempt to dislodge him would 
be repelled by force ; and furthermore, that if General Ampudia 
attempted to cross the river, it would be considered a hostile act, 
and resisted as such. 

The greater portion of the inhabitants upon the east side of the 
river, crossed over to Matamoras, from the representations made 

10 



74 LIFE OF GENERA! TAYLLR. 

by the Mexican officers that the American army would inevitaoly 
be destroyed, and that they would share the same fate, but this did 
not prevent the army being abundantly supplied with provisions, 
for there were facilities of procuring them when they were not 
furnished from the other side. 

The American army experienced considerable annoyance from 
the great number of desertions that took place, and so short was 
the distance to the enemy's camp, that they could effect their inten- 
tions with great ease and safety, and escape beyond the possibility 
of capture. The most frequent mode was by swimming the stream. 
Several attempts had been made to put a stop to this business 
without effect, when it was resolved to resort to the last and dis- 
agreeable alternative of shooting such as should attempt to escape, 
if other means failed. Among those that next made the attempt to 
swim the river, two were killed by the picket, and this effectually 
put a stop to desertions. 

General Taylor set about erecting ramparts and trausses, em- 
ploying fifteen hundred men constantly, to render his position se- 
cure against an attacking force. One regiment was also kept day 
and night on the move, guarding the crossings of the river, from 
indications, it appearing evident that the Mexicans entertained the 
idea of commencing hostilities in some shape. On the 12th a pri- 
soner was taken by the picket, who stated upon questioning, that 
the Mexicans were going to cross the river at a certain point on the 
next day. General Taylor sent a detachment of troops to the 
fording early the next morning. 

About this time the camp was thrown into consternation and 
gloom at the sudden disappearance of Colonel Cross, United States 
quartermaster-general. Troops were sent out at once, and all ex- 
ertions made to ascertain his fate ; but, until twelve days had ex- 
pired, it was generally presumed that he had been taken prisoner 
and was in safety. At the end of that period, he was found where 
he had been murdered, probably by a band of rancheros. This 
was the first life lost in the Army of Occupation, and was soon 
followed by the attack upon and killing of Lieutenant Porter and 
three others. Lieutenant Porter had gone with a party of twelve 
men to reconnoitre, when, on the third day, he was attacked by a 



MEASURES OF DEFENCE. 75 

party of Mexicans, fired upon and killed. On the next morn- 
ing, a troop of thirty dragoons was dispatched to the spot, but his 
body, or those of his comrades, two in number, could not be found. 
Lieutenant Porter was of the 3d regiment of infantry, son of the 
late Commodore Porter, and had but recently been married to a 
daughter of Major Benjamin Lloyd Beall, late commander of Fort 
Washita, where he had left his lady. 

The following extract of a letter from General Taylor explains 
the state of his defences and the position of affairs on the 25th 
April, prior to the attack of the Mexicans upon Captains Hardee 
and Thornton : 

" Strong guards of foot and mounted men are established on the 
margin of the river, and thus efficient means have been adopted on 
our part to prevent all intercourse. While opposite to us their 
pickets extend above and below for several miles, we are equally 
active in keeping up a strong and vigilant guard to prevent surprise, 
or attacks under disadvantageous circumstances. This is the more 
necessary, while we are to act on the defensive, and they are at 
liberty to take the opposite course whenever they think proper to 
do so. Nor have we been idle in other respects ; we have a field- 
work under way, besides having erected a strong battery, and a 
number of buildings for the security of our supplies, in addition to 
some respectable works for their protection. We have mounted a 
respectable battery, four pieces of which are long eighteen-pound- 
ers, with which we could batter or burn down the city of Mata- 
moras should it become necessary to do so. When our field-work 
is completed — which will soon be the case — and mounted with its 
proper armament, five hundred men could hold it against as many 
thousand Mexicans. During the twenty-seven days since our arri- 
val here, a most singular state of things has prevailed all through 
the outlines of the two armies, which, to a certain extent, have all 
the feelings as if there were actual war. 

" Fronting each other, for an extent of more than two miles, and 
within musket range, are batteries shotted, and the officers and 
men, in many instances, waiting impatiently for orders to apply the 
matches ; yet nothing has been done to provoke the firing of a gun 
or any act of violence. 



76 LIFE OF GENERAL TAYLOR. 

" Matamoras, at the distance we are now from it, appears to cover 
a large extent of ground, with some handsome buildings, but I 
would imagine the greater portion of them to be indifferent one- 
story houses, with roofs of straw, and walls of mud or unburnt 
brick. During peace the population is said to be five or six thou- 
sand, but it is now filled to overflowing with troops. Report says 
from five to ten thousand of all sorts, regular and militia. The 
number, I presume, is very much overrated. 

" P. S. — Since writing the above an engagement has taken place 
between a detachment of our cavalry and the Mexicans, in which 
we are worsted. So the war has actually commenced, and the 
hardest must fend off. 

" Yours, &c. 

" Z. Taylor." 



GENERAL EVENTS 77 



CHAPTER XI. 

Captaia Thornton's Expedition. — Principal Events to the leaving of General Taylor 
for Point Isabel. — Bombardment of Fort Brown. 

In the last chapter we made allusion to intelligence being re- 
ceived, through a prisoner, that the Mexicans were about to cross 
the Rio Grande, and that a squadron of dragoons was ordered to 
proceed to the spot. The prisoner was to act as guide. On the 
same day General Taylor's spies brought in news that a large body 
of Mexicans had crossed the river to the Texas side, above the 
American fort, and that about fifteen hundred had also crossed be- 
low. The squadron of dragoons under the guidance of the Mexi- 
can prisoner was commanded by Captain Thornton, and sent to the 
crossing above the camp, while Captain Kerr was dispatched with 
a squadron below ; both for the purpose of reconnoitring the ene- 
my's position. 

Captain Thornton's command consisted of Captain Hardee, 
Lieutenants Kane and Mason, with sixty-one privates and non- 
commissioned officers. They had proceeded about twenty-six 
miles, and to within a mile or two of the Mexican camp, when they 
were surprised and surrounded by a large body of the enemy, who 
commenced firing upon them. Lieutenant George Mason, with 
nine men, were killed, and two wounded. Captains Thornton and 
Hardee, and Lieutenant Kane, escaped, and subsequently surren- 
dered themselves with the non-commissioned officers and privates 
prisoners of war. 

It was now certain that the Mexicans had crossed the Rio Grande 
in large numbers, and for the purpose of ejecting the American 
army from the position it had assumed. General Taylor, therefore, 
immediately subsequent to the attack upon Thornton's command, 
advised the department at Washington that hostilities had com- 
menced, and dispatched a messenger with requisitions upon the 
governors of Texas and Louisiana for volunteers — upon the former 
for twenty companies of foot riflemen, and upon the latter for four 
regiments of infantry. 



78 LIFE OF GENERAL TAYLOR. 

General Arista had superseded Ampudia in the command of the 
Mexican forces, and it was upon this change that the first act of 
violation was committed by them ; he having previously, however, 
notified General Taylor that he " considered hostilities had com- 
menced, and he should prosecute them." 

From the capture of Thornton's command all communication 
was cut off from Point Isabel with General Taylor's camp for three 
days. This was a most serious misfortune, as the entire stores of 
the army, with the exception of eight days' rations at the camp, op 
posite Matamoras, were at this place, and the prospect of re-estab- 
lishing a communication was most discouraging, so large a body of 
Mexican troops, under Arista himself, had been interposed with 
this especial object in view, as was probable, (and which after- 
wards appeared by Arista's dispatches.) 

Point. Isabel was also daily in expectation of being attacked. 
Major Munroe commanded here with a force of four hundred and 
fifty men. The ordnance consisted of sixteen brass six-pounders, 
two long eighteen, and two ship's guns for artillery. The supply 
of powder and balls of all kinds was ample, and provisions and 
water in abundance, so that it was calculated an opposing force of 
four times their number could be successfully resisted for any 
length of time. In addition, the masters and crews of vessels in 
the harbor volunteered, and mustered to the number of live hun- 
dred men, went ashore, and remained under arms. 

On the 28th, Captain Walker, of the Texan rangers volunteers, 
left his camp between Point Isabel and Matamoras with seventy- 
five men, to reconnoitre, having learned a large Mexican force was 
on the road. He encountered one thousand five hundred Mexi- 
cans, (as he supposes,) with whom he had an engagement of fif- 
teen minutes. On his return to Point Isabel he volunteered with 
almost incredible boldness to attempt to carry a communication to 
General Taylor ; and on the 29th he set out with four men, and 
succeeded in reaching the camp of the commanding general. 

General Taylor's situation at this time was a critical one. His 
supply of provisions in camp was sufficient for only eight days, his 
stores and munitions were at Point Isabel, twenty-seven miles dis- 
tant, and all communication, between the camp and depot, he had 



DEFENCE OF FORT BROWN. ■ 79 

good reason to believe, had been closed by the enemy. Upon the 
arrival of Captain Walker, therefore, and learning the state of af- 
fairs on the route, he resolved to set out in person, with the greater 
part of his force, and endeavor to effect a transit of supplies. He 
had nearly completed his defences opposite Matamoras. The cita- 
del of the position, an irregular hexagon, with bastioned fronts, and 
a capacity to receive twelve hundred men, though it might be de- 
fended with five hundred, he considered sufficient to sustain a 
regular assault for at least ten days from disciplined troops and 
scientific approach from trenches. Intrusting the works to the 
command of Major Brown, with the seventh regiment of infantry 
under Captain Lowd, and two companies of artillery under Lieu- 
tenant Braggs, in all about six hundred men, General Taylor set 
out with the remainder of his force, on the 1st day of May, for 
Point Isabel. 

So soon as the Mexican commander learned that a large part of 
the American forces had been withdrawn from the fort opposite 
Matamoras, (now Fort Brown,) he opened his batteries in the town 
with seven guns. This was on the morning of the 3d May. The 
fire was promptly responded to by the American battery. After 
a brisk fire of fifteen minutes from the eighteen-pounders, the 
Mexican fort was silenced, two of their guns supposed to have 
been dismounted. 

A fire was then commenced from the Mexican lower fort, and a 
mortar battery, which was kept up without intermission until half- 
past seven o'clock. The cannonade from these positions was con- 
tinued occasionally until midnight, during which time the Mexi- 
cans exhausted some twelve or fifteen hundred shot, but with very 
little effect. 

On the morning of the 6th May, Major Brown, the commanding 
officer, was mortally wounded by the bursting of a shell, while 
standing near Captain Mansfield, directing the operations of that 
corps of engineers. 

Upon Major Brown receiving the wound that terminated fatally, 
three days afterwards, Captain Hawkins, of the seventh infantry, 
assumed command. This took place at 10 o'clock on the morning 
of the 6th, and large mounted parties of infantry were then seen in 



80 LIFE OF GENERAL TAYLOR. 

the rear. Towards evening the enemy opened fire from town 
with one mortar, and with two mortars from the rear ; and at half- 
past 10 o'clock, some infantry crept up in a ravine and fired mus- 
ketry, but being out of range, the fire was not returned. Lieuten- 
ant Bragg, at 10 o'clock the next morning, fired several rounds of 
canister from his battery upon parties of mounted men and infantry 
that seemed to surround the rear, which dispersed them, but 
brought forth a shower of shells, which lasted incessantly until 
half-past 11 o'clock, and ceased. Between this and half-past 4 
P. M., five shells were thrown, at which time a white flag was 
shown at some old buildings in the rear, and a parley sounded by 
the enemy. Two Mexican officers advanced, and were met by 
two of Captain Hawkins' command, who received and took to 
Captain Hawkins a communication from General Arista, com- 
manding Hawkins to surrender the fort, and allowing one hour to 
reply. 

Upon the receipt of this document, the commander of Fort 
Brown called a council of his officers, having command of the dif- 
ferent companies, and upon consultation agreed unanimously upon 
sending the following reply : 

Head Quarters, United States Forces, ) 
Near Matamoras, May 6, 1846, 3 o'clock, v. m. ) 

" Sir, — Your humane communication has just been received, 
and after the consideration due to its importance, I must respect- 
fully decline to surrender my forces to you. 

" The exact purport of your dispatch I cannot feel confident that 
I understand, as my interpreter is not skilled in your language ; 
but if I have understood you correctly, you have my reply above. 
" I am, sir, respectfully, 

" Your obedient servant, 

" E. S. Hawkins, 

" Commanding U. S. Forces opposite Matamoras. 
" General M. Arista, 
" Commanding Division of the North." 

When this reply was received by the Mexican general, he opened 
his batteries with a continual shower of shot and shells until sunset. 



BOMBARDMENT OF FORT BROWN. 81 

when it ceased. The night passed quietly, but the utmost vigi- 
lance was exercised by the American commander, and every man 
was kept at his post, as it was confidently expected that an attack 
more severe than the others would be made in the morning. At 
daylight the next morning the enemy's batteries opened with shells, 
but continued but a short time, and was renewed at intervals, with 
canister and grape, until half-past two o'clock, p. m., when a regu- 
lar bombardment with shot and shells, from a howitzer and the 
mortars, commenced, and was kept up until sunset. 

Dark setting in, Captain Mansfield, of the Engineer Corps, was 
sent out with one hundred men to level the traverse thrown up by 
General Worth on the bank of the river, to prevent the use of it 
by the enemy to fire into the fort, which he accomplished by mid- 
night, at which time a random fire of musketry commenced all 
around, which lasted until daylight, when the enemy's batteries 
were again opened with shells from the sand-bag battery and from 
the lower fort. 

The bombarding was kept up during the day with great ferocit)^, 
some part of the time mortars being at play upon the little fort 
from the north, south, and west, at the same instant. This was 
the 8th of May, and at half-past two o'clock the cannonading from 
the field of Palo Alto was heard. This created an intense excite- 
ment in the fort, as it Avas supposed to proceed from an engage- 
ment between the Mexican and American forces, and the most 
alarming results were feared, from the known superiority of the 
enemy's forces. 

During this day Captain Hawkins is of opinion they received 
from one hundred and fifty to two hundred shells, and from sev 
enty-five to one hundred round shot, and not a man ivas disabled. 
The next day, at 2 o'clock p. m., Major Brown died, and soon after 
the firing was heard from Resaca de la Palma, which announced a 
re-engagement between General Taylor and the enemy. The 
enemy raised the siege at about six o'clock this day, and beat a 
retreat. 

11 



82 LIFE OF GENERAL TAYLOR. 

CHAPTER XII. 

Battle of Palo Alto. 

General Taylor reached Point Isabel on the 2d of May, with- 
out having seen a Mexican on his way. On the day following, he 
heard the cannonading, by the assault on Fort Brown, with some 
concern, but no scouts reported any intelligence of importance 
until the 4th, when Captain May, with a squadron of dragoons re- 
turned to Point Isabel, with reports that a heavy force was en- 
camped on the road, twelve miles below Matamoras, whose camp 
he passed around ; and this intelligence was confirmed the next 
day, the 5th, by scouts that came in, saying that the chaparral was 
lined with sentinels everywhere. 

The firing was still heard at the fort, and General Taylor made 
dispositions to commence his return march on the next day, the 
6th, with an ample train of baggage-wagons, loaded with stores 
for the army. Whether the Mexican commander had concentrated 
his forces so as to assail the camp opposite Matamoras in rear as 
well as in front, during the absence of the army — whether the 
works were found capable of sustaining the assault that had been 
made — or whether the great body of Mexicans would take advan- 
tage of the defiles and chaparrals upon the route he was about 
himself to enter, with so cumbrous a train of baggage, was matter 
of total uncertainty. 

May 6th, Captain Walker arrived with dispatches from Major 
Brown's camp, and reported the particulars detailed in last chapter. 
Major Brown was reserving his ammunition, and thus far all was 
safe there. These assurances of Captain Walker determined 
General Taylor to postpone his departure, in hopes that additional 
forces would arrive within a short time at Point Isabel, for the se- 
curity of that important station, as well as to augment the effec- 
tive force with which he would soon be ready to encounter the 
enemy. 

Nothing further of importance took place until the evening of 
the 7th of May, when the main body of the army of occupation 



BATTLE OF PALO ALTO. 83 

moved from Point Isabel, under the immediate orders of General 
Taylor, and bivouacked seven miles distant. 

The march was resumed the following morning. About noon, 
when the advance of cavalry had reached the water-hole of "Palo 
Alto," the Mexican troops were reported in front, and were soon 
discovered occupying the road in force. General Taylor ordered 
a halt upon reaching the water, with a view to rest and refresh the 
men, and form deliberately the line of battle. The Mexican line 
was now plainly visible across the prairie, and about three-quarters 
of a mile distant. Their left, which was composed of a heavy 
force of cavalry, occupied the road, resting upon a thicket of chap- 
arral, while masses of infantry were discovered in succession on 
the right, greatly outnumbering the American force. 

The line of battle was now formed in the following order, com- 
mencing on the extreme right : Fifth infantry, commanded by 
Lieutenant-colonel Mcintosh ; Major Ringgold's artillery ; third 
infantry, commanded by Captain L. N. Morris ; two eighteen- 
pounders, commanded by Lieutenant Churchill, third artillery; 
fourth infantry, commanded by Major G. W. Allen ; the third and 
fourth regiments composed the third brigade, under the command 
of Lieutenant-colonel Garland ; and all the above corps, together 
with two squadrons of dragoons under Captains Ker and May, 
composed the right wing, under the orders of Colonel Twiggs! 
The left was formed by the battalion of artillery commanded by 
Lieutenant-colonel Childs, Captain Duncan's light artillery, and 
the eighth infantry, under Captain Montgomery— all forming the 
first brigade, under command of Lieutenant-colonel Belknap. 
The train was packed near the water, under direction of Captains 
Grossman and Myers, and protected by Captain Ker's squadron. 

At two o'clock General Taylor took up the march by heads of 
columns, in the direction of the enemy— the eighteen-pounder bat- 
tery following the road. While the columns were advancing Lieut. 
Blake, topographical engineers, volunteered a reconnoissance of the 
enemy's line, which was handsomely performed, and resulted in the 
discovery of at least two batteries of artillery in the intervals of their 
cavalry and infantry. These batteries were soon opened upon the 
Americans ; when Gen. Taylor ordered the columns halted and de- 



84 LIFE OF GENERAL TAYLOR. 

ployed into line, and the fire to be returned by all his artillery. The 
eighth infantry on the extreme left was thrown back to secure that 
flank. The first fires of the enemy did little execution, while our 
eighteen-pcunders, and Major Ringgold's artillery soon dispersed 
the cavalry, while his left, Captain Duncan's battery, thrown for- 
ward in advance of the line, was doing good execution at this time. 
Captain May's squadron was now detached to support that battery, 
and the left of our position. The Mexican cavalry, with two pieces 
of artillery, were now reported to be moving through the chaparral 
to our right, to threaten that flank, or make a demonstration against' 
the train. The fifth infantry was immediately detached to check 
this movement, and, supported by Lieut. Ridgley, with a section of 
Major Ringgold's battery and Captain Walker's company of volun- 
teers, effectually repulsed the enemy — the fifth infantry repelling a 
charge of lancers, and the artillery doing great execution in their 
ranks. The third infantry was now detached to the right as a still 
further security to that flank yet threatened by the enemy. Major 
Ringgold, with the remaining section, kept up his fire from an ad- 
vanced position and was supported by the fourth infantry. 

The grass of the prairie had been accidentally fired by our artil- 
lery, and the volumes of smoke now partially concealed the armies 
from each other. As the enemy's left had evidently been driven 
back, and left the road free, as the cannonade had been suspended, 
the American General ordered forward the eighteen-pounders on 
the road, nearly to the position first occupied by the Mexican cav- 
alry, and caused the first brigade to take up a new position still on 
the left of the eighteen-pounder battery. The fifth infantry was ad- 
vanced from its former position, and occupied a point on the ex- 
treme right of the new line. The enemy made a change of position 
corresponding to our own, and after a suspension of nearly an hour 
the action was resumed. 

The fire of the artillery was now most destructive — openings 
were constantly made through the enemy's ranks by our fire : and 
the constancy with which the Mexican infantry sustained this se- 
vere cannonade was a theme of universal remark and admiration. 
Captain May's squadron w r as detached to make a demonstration on 
the left of the enemy's position, and suffered severely from the fire 



BATTLE OF PALO ALTO. 85 

of artillery to which it was for some time exposed. The fourth 
infantry, which had been ordered to support the eighteen-pounder 
battery, was exposed to a most galling fire of artillery, by which 
several men were killed, and Captain Page dangerously wounded. 
The enemy's fire was directed against our 18-pounder battery, 
and the guns under Major Ringgold in its vicinity. The major 
himself, while coolly directing the fire of his pieces, was struck 
by a cannon ball, and mortally wounded. 

In the mean time the battalion of artillery under Lieutenant- 
colonel Childs had been brought up to support the artillery on our 
right. A strong demonstration of cavalry was now made by the 
enemy against this part of our line, and the column continued to 
advance under a severe fire from the eighteen-pounders. The bat- 
talion was instantly formed in square, and held ready to receive 
the charge of cavalry ; but when the advanced squadrons were 
within close range, a deadly fire of canister from the eighteen- 
pounders dispersed them. A brisk fire of small arms was now 
opened upon the square, by which Lieutenant Luther of second 
artillery was slightly wounded ; but a well-directed volley from 
the front of the square silenced all further firing from the enemy 
in this quarter. It was now nearly dark, and the action was closed 
on the right of the American line ; the enemy having been com- 
pletely driven back from his position, and foiled in every attempt 
against our line. 

While the above was going forward on our right, the enemy had 
made a serious attempt against the left of our line. Captain Dun- 
can, with his usual quickness of perception, discovered and com 
municated to Lieutenant Belknap, commanding the brigade, the 
fact that the enemy was moving the entire cavalry and infantry 
force of his right wing upon our train in rear of the left of our line 
of battle, and that his battery could produce a more destructive 
effect upon the enemy by taking position further to the left. He 
was ordered to proceed to the threatened point with all possible 
dispatch, and hold the enemy in check until the eighth infantry 
could come up to his support. The battery dashed back to the 
left flank in full view of the enemy, and engaged him within point- 
blank range of his small guns. So sudden and unexpected was 



86 LIFE OF GENERAL TAYLOR. 

this movement to the enemy, who a moment before saw this bat- 
tery disappear in the opposite direction behind the smoke of the 
burning prairie, that his whole column of cavalry pulled up to a 
halt before a shot had been fired or the guns unlimbered. 

A strong body of the enemy's infantry, supported by two squad- 
rons of cavalry, now debouched from the extreme right point of 
the chaparral, and moved steadily forward to the attack ; one sec- 
tion of the battery opened upon them with round shot, shells, and 
spherical case, so well directed that the whole advance, horse and 
foot, fell back in disorder to the bushes ; the other section in the 
mean time played into the masses of cavalry that had halted at the 
right of the guns before mentioned. Although these shot were 
well directed, and each made an opening through an entire squad- 
ron, this part of the enemy's line stood unshaken. 

The column of cavalry and infantry driven back in the chaparral 
by the other section, reformed there, and moved forward a second 
time to the attack with great regularity. After they advanced 
about one hundred yards from the chaparral, the section before or- 
dered to drive them back again, opened, and drove them with even 
greater success than before. They fell back pell-mell to the bushes 
and commenced their retreat ; their supporting cavalry abandoned 
them, rushed back upon the head of the columns that had before 
withstood our shot, and a flight commenced ; squadron after squad- 
ron took it up, and the entire right wing of the enemy was in full 
retreat. Both sections were now brought to bear upon the enemy's 
broken and flying columns, and a brisk and destructive fire kept up 
till they disappeared in the chaparral, or darkness put an end to 
the battle. 

This battery, under the skilful management of Captain Duncan, 
and with the aid of the 8th infantry, commanded by Captain Mont- 
gomery, and Captain Ker's squadron of dragoons, was of immense 
service, at this peculiar crisis, on our left line, and to the success- 
ful result of the battle. They at first gallantly held the enemy at 
bay, and finally drove him from the field with great loss. This 
terminated the action, and our army bivouacked on the ground it 
occupied, while that of the Mexicans retired into the chaparral, in 
rear of their position. 



BATTLE OF PALO ALTO. 87 

• The American force engaged in this battle is reported by Gen- 
eral Taylor to have been 177 officers, and 2,111 men — in all 2,288. 
The Mexican force, according to the statements of their own offi- 
cers, taken prisoners on the following day, was not less than six 
thousand regular troops, with ten pieces of artillery — the irregular 
force not known. Their loss is estimated by Arista, the command- 
er-in-chief, in his hasty dispatch, at two hundred and fifty-two 
killed, wounded, and dispersed ; and by General Taylor at not less 
than two hundred killed and four hundred wounded, made upon 
the actual number counted upon the field, and the reports of their 
own officers. But the loss of the enemy was far greater even 
than this. 



88 LIFE OF GENERAL TAYLOR. 



CHAPTER XIII. 

Cattle of Resaca de la Palma. 



On the morning of the 9th of May the Mexicans were discovert; , 
from the position occupied by the American army on the field of 
Palo Alto since the close of the battle the day previous, moving by 
their left flank from the ground occupied by them during the night, 
evidently in retreat, and as was thought to gain a new position on 
the road to Matamoras, and there again resist the advance of our 
army with the stores. General Taylor ordering the supply-train to 
be strongly parked at its position, leaving with it four pieces of ar- 
tillery, and sending the wounded officers and men back to Point 
Isabel, moved forward with the columns to the edge of the chapar- 
ral or forest, which extends to the Rio Grande, a distance of seven 
miles. The command of Captain McCall, fourth infantry, consist- 
ing of the light companies of the first brigade under Captain C. T. 
Smith, Captain Walker with his Texas Rangers, detachment of 
artillery and infantry under Captain McCall and troop of second 
dragoons under Lieut. Pleasanton, in all two hundred and twenty 
men, were ordered to move forward into the chaparral, to feel the 
enemy and ascertain his position. 

Captain Smith moved on the right of the road, while Captain 
McCall advanced on the left with his detachment of artillery and 
infantry. Captain Walker with his company and a small detach- 
ment of mounted men was ordered to examine the road in front, 
and Lieut. Pleasanton with his dragoons marched in rear of the 
columns of infantry. Having followed the trail of the enemy about 
two and a half miles, through the chaparral, a prisoner was taken, 
and one of the enemy killed by Captain Walker's men. 

Having crossed a prairie and examined the opposite side, Captain 
Walker reported the road clear ; when desiring to obtain definite 
information as to the position of the enemy, Captain McCall pushed 
him forward into the chaparral, (within supporting distance,) and 
one or two parties of from three to six were seen in the bushes, 
and a mounted party was fired upon by the flankers. 



BATTLE OF RESACA DE LA TALMA. 89 

On reaching the open ground at Resaca de la Palma, the nead 
of Captain McCall's column received three rounds of canister shot 
from a masked battery, which killed one private and wounded two 
sergeants on the left of the road, and made his men take cover. 
They rallied however handsomely within forty or fifty paces. 
Captain McCall now brought Captain Smith's detachment to the 
left of the road, proposing to attack by flank movement what he 
supposed to be only the rear-guard of the retiring army ; and he 
recalled Lieut. Dobbins, who, with a few men, had deployed to the 
left, where he had killed one or two of the enemy who had shown 
himself in his front. Being now satisfied that the Mexican army was 
in force on his front, Captain McCall dispatched three dragoons to 
inform General Taylor of the fact, and then moved his command 
to a stronger position to await his arrival. 

General Taylor, upon the receipt of this intelligence, at about 
three o'clock in the afternoon, immediately put his command in 
motion, and came up with Captain McCall about four o'clock. Cap- 
tain McC. reporting the enemy in force in front, occupying a ravine 
which intersects the road, and is skirted by thickets of dense chap- 
arral, General Taylor ordered Ridgley's battery, and the advance un- 
der Captain McCall, to be thrown forward on the road and into the 
chaparral on either side, while the fifth infantry, and one Aving of 
the fourth, was thrown into the forest on the left, and the third, and 
the other wing of the fourth, on the right of the road. These 
corps were employed as skirmishers to cover the battery and en- 
gage the Mexican infantry. 

Lieutenant Ridgley now being in front with his light-artillery, 
Captain "Walker was sent to point him out the enemy, and his ex- 
act position. After moving very cautiously for some time, Lieut. 
Ridgley discovered the Mexicans in the road, about four hundred 
yards in front, with their artillery, which they instantly opened. 
Lieut. Ridgley moved rapidly to the front, about one hundred yards, 
and returned their fire, which was kept up very spiritedly on both 
sides for some time, their grape-shot passing through Lieut. Ridg- 
ley's battery in every direction. So soon as it slackened he lim- 
bered up and moved rapidly forward, never unlimbering unless 
seeing them in front, or perceiving from the fire of their infantry 

12 



90 LIFE OF GENERAL TAYLOR. 

ihey were on his flanks, and discharging canister frequently from 
several of his pieces, at a distance of not over one hundred or one 
hundred and fifty yards from the enemy. He had advanced in this 
manner for about five hundred yards, when Captain May of second 
dragoons, came up, under orders to charge the enemy's battery. 

Captain May, during the morning, had been actively engaged in 
reconnoitring the chaparral in advance of the army ; and was about 
half a mile from the position the enemy was reported to have taken, 
when he was ordered to charge the enemy's batteries and drive him 
from his pieces, which he proceeded rapidly to execute. When 
Captain May reached Lieut. Ridgley, the latter discharged a volley 
to show the way, when May dashed gallantly on in column of fours 
at the head of his squadron, and was followed by Lieut. Ridgley 
and his command, on a gallop. 

Captain May drove the enemy from his guns amidst a heavy fire, 
but with a loss of Lieutenant Inge, seven privates, and eighteen 
horses killed. Lieutenant Inge was gallantly leading his platoon 
when he fell ; and Lieutenants Sergeant and Story, in the front, 
had their horses killed under them. 

Captain May charged entirely through the enemy's batteries of 
seven pieces. Captain Graham, accompanied by Lieutenants 
Winship and Pleasanton, leading the charge against the pieces on 
the left of the road ; and himself, accompanied by Lieutenants 
Inge, Sackett, and Stevens, those on the direct road, and gained 
the rising ground on the opposite side of the ravine. After gaining 
the rising ground in the rear he could rally but six men, and with 
these he charged the enemy's gunners, who had regained their 
pieces, drove them off, and took prisoner General La Vega, whom 
he found gallantly fighting in person at his batter}'. 

When Lieutenant Ridgley came up to the ravine, three of the 
enemy's pieces of artillery were abandoned ; their infantry, how- 
ever, poured into him a most galling fire, at from twenty-five to 
fifty paces ; and here ensued a most desperate struggle ; their 
cavalry coming so near as to be reached by the sabre. The eighth 
infantry under Captain Montgomery now came up, and for a time 
was warmly engaged, but succeeded in securing the battery, and 
the regiment then charged upon the ravine and across tl e smah 



BATTLE OF ItESACA DE LA PALMA. 91 

prairie amidst a sheet of fire from the front, left, and right, drove the 
supporting column before it, destroying the enemy in vasi numbers, 
they having maintained a most determined and obstinate resistance 
until finally repulsed and driven from the field. 

During this charge, the eighth infantry was joined by a part of 
the fifth infantry under the gallant Captain Martin Scott, who had 
just been engaged in a hot personal contest with the enemy, from 
which he was timely relieved by a part of the eighth infantry un- 
der Lieutenant Wood ; Lieutenants Ruggles and Crittenden with 
a small command of the fifth, with the eighth infantry, all under 
Captain Montgomery, routed the enemy's right wing, carrying 
his right battery, between which and his centre batteries had been 
posted the celebrated Tampico Regiment, all of which, except 
some seventeen men, fell in their position, making the most gallant 
and determined resistance. A part of the fifth infantry — Captains 
Wood's and Merrill's companies — under Colonel Mcintosh, 
charged across the enemy's position, carrying one of his centre 
batteries, and with the third and fourth infantry put to rout his left 
wing, in which gallant charge, Colonel Mcintosh fell dangerously 
wounded. Captain Marcy of the fifth infantry, with a small com- 
mand of that regiment, had turned the enemy's left flank, and 
taken a piece which, leaving in the rear, was removed by the 
enemy, but retaken by Captain Buchanan of the fourth infantry. 

The light companies of the first brigade, and the third and 
fourth regiments of infantry, had been deployed on the right of 
the road, when at various points they became briskly engaged with 
the enemy. The fourth infantry, under command of Brevet-Major 
Allen, advancing, discovered that the enemy were pouring a heavy 
lire of grape and musketry from a small breastwork just in front, 
defended by one piece of artillery and about 150 infantry. Cap- 
tain Buchanan was ordered to cross to the right and advance. He 
had in his command some thirty men of the regiment, together 
with Lieutenants Hays and Woods. He deployed his men upon 
the crest of the hill, charged, took the piece, and bore it back to a 
place of safety. The enemy had a breastwork in Captain Bu- 
chanan's rear, and opened a heavy fire on him ; when, with about 
ten men, he dislodged him and drove him across the road. Lieu- 



92 LIFE OF GENERAL TAYLOR. 

tenants Hays and Woods first reached the piece of ordnance and 
captured it, and were attacked in the act of bearing it away by a 
party of the enemy determined to regain it, which they repulsed. 

The 3d infantry, commanded by Captain Morris, was also de- 
ployed in the commencement of the engagement as skirmishers on 
the right of the road, the left resting on the road. The regiment 
advanced rapidly to the front, where it became exposed to a cross 
fire of both armies, but upon changing position joined in the action 
with service to the successful result. Captain Barbour, with his 
command, also repulsed a party attempting to retake the piece 
spoken of. 

The 4th regiment, after taking the battery, pushed forward until 
it emerged from the thicket into the main camp of the enemy, con- 
taining the head-quarters of the commanding general of the Mexi- 
can army, their ammunition, some 300 or 400 mules, saddles, 
and every variety of camp equipage, with the commander's offi- 
cial correspondence, which they captured. Lieutenant Cochrane 
fell at the edge of the camp whilst gallantly leading his men 
into it. 

The artillery battalion, excepting the flank companies, had been 
ordered to guard the baggage-train, which was parked some dis- 
tance in the rear. That battalion was now ordered to pursue the 
enemy, and with the 3d infantry Captain Ker's dragoons, and 
Captain Duncan's battery, followed him rapidly to the river, ma- 
king a number of prisoners. Several of the enemy were drowned 
in attempting to cross the river near the town. The corps last 
mentioned encamped near the river — the remainder of the army 
on the field of battle. 

The aggregate marching force under General Taylor this day 
was 2222. The actual number engaged with the enemy did not 
exceed 1700 men. The American loss was three officers and 
thirty-six men killed, and seventy-one wounded. 

The exact force of the Mexicans is not known, but is supposed 
by General Taylor to have been 6000. Their loss in killed, 
wounded, and missing, in the two affairs, is estimated by General 
Taylor at 1000. Gen. Taylor remarks thus on the result of the 
battle : 



GENERAL TAYLOR CROSSES THE RIO GRANDE. 93 

" Our victory has been decisive. A small force has overcome 
immense odds of the best troops Mexico can furnish — veteran 
regiments perfectly equipped and appointed. Eight pieces of ar- 
tillery, several colors and standards, a great number of prisoners, 
including fourteen officers, and a large amount of baggage and 
public property, have fallen into our hands. , 

" The causes of victory are doubtless to be found in the supe- 
rior quality of our officers and men. I have already, in former 
reports, paid a general tribute to the admirable conduct of the 
troops on both days ; it now becomes my duty, and I feel it to be 
one of great delicacy, to notice individuals." General Taylor then 
adverts to acts of individual gallantry, as we have also in other 
places. 

On account of General Taylor's limited means for crossing riv- 
ers, he was not able to prosecute so complete a victory, and greatby 
felt the necessity of a ponton train, such as he recommended to the 
department a year ago. He was therefore obliged to wait for 
heavy mortars, with which to menace the town from the left bank, 
and also the accumulation of small boats. He at length made ev- 
ery preparation to cross the river above the town, while Lieuten- 
ant-colonel Wilson made a diversion on the side of Barita, and the 
order of march was given out for ten o'clock on the 17lh May, 
from the camp near Fort Brown, when he was waited on by Gen- 
eral Reguena, empowered by General Arista to treat for an armis 
tice until the government should finally settle the question. 
General Taylor replied that an armistice was out of the question ; 
that a month since he had proposed one to Ampudia, which was 
declined, and that circumstances had now changed, &c. 

An answer from Arista was promised in the afternoon, but not 
coming, General Taylor commenced the crossing, with a view to 
take the town of Matamoras on the morning following. Upon land- 
ing on the other side no resistance was made, and he was soon in- 
formed from various quarters that Arista had abandoned the town 
with all his troops. A staff officer was immediately dispatched to 
the Prefect to demand a surrender, which was granted, and Gen- 
eral Taylor marched in and took possession of the town and public 
property left behind. 



94 LIFE OF GENERAL TAYLOR. 



CHAPTER XIV. 

Incidents of Personal Valor, &c. 

Lieutenant C. D. Jordan. — In the battle of the 9th, when 
the 8th regiment to which he belongs was ordered to advance to 
support the bold charge of the dragoons, led by Captain May, 
Lieutenant Jordan, with his company, rushed on the enemy, com- 
pelled them to break their ranks, and fight in detached squads, 
which, after a brief but severe contest, were destroyed or dispersed. 
Lieutenant Jordan, seeing a party of five Mexicans firing on our 
forces, rushed upon them sword in hand, expecting that lie was 
supported by three soldiers of the regiment. " Two or three shots 
were discharged at him when at the distance of only a few paces, 
but fortunately missed him ; and at this instant he perceived he 
was alone, his men having met with other enemies, and his foes 
were prepared to receive him with the bayonet. It was no time 
for hesitation. He made a blow with his sword at the nearest 
Mexican, which wounded him severely, although it was partly par- 
ried with his musket ; and at this critical moment his foot struck 
something, he stumbled, fell forward to the ground, and lost his 
sword. Before he could recover his feet he received three bayonet 
stabs in his body ; but he threw himself on one of the Mexicans, 
wrenched his cutlass from his hand, when he was fired upon by 
another, and a buck-shot was lodged in his arm near the shoulder, 
and one passed through his arm. He fell upon his back, and his 
enemies were about to dispatch him, when Lieutenant C. Lincoln, 
having vanquished those previously opposed to him, hastened with 
ethers in good time to the rescue. Lieutenant Lincoln cut down 
one of the Mexicans, whose comrades were immediately subdued." 

Lieutenant Blake. — On the morning of the 8th, General 
Taylor rode down his line and surveyed his command. He wished 
to ascertain whether the enemy had artillery, and how much. For 
this purpose Captain May was ordered out with a squadron to 



<*■ INCIDENTS OF PERSONAL VALOR. 95 

reconnoitre, and, if possible, draw a fire from the enemy ; but to 
no purpose. Lieutenant Blake of the topographical engineers now 
offered to go forward alone and reconnoitre. A brother officer vol- 
unteered to accompany him, and they set out together on horse- 
back, and dashed to within eighty yards of the enemy's line. 
" Lieutenant Blake alighted from his horse and with his glass sur- 
veyed the whole line, the American army looking on with astonish- 
ment. Just then two Mexican officers rode out towards them, but 
they drawing their pistols, the Mexicans halted. Lieut. Blake 
and his companion now mounted and galloped down their line to 
the other end, and returned, having procured the information neces- 
sary, which was, that the enemy had two batteries, one composed 
of seven, and the other five pieces. They but reached their own 
line when the batteries opened and the work of destruction com- 
menced. 

" Lieutenant Blake was the next day killed by the accidental dis- 
charge of his own pistol. He had thrown his sword, to which his 
pistols were attached, to the ground, on entering his tent. One 
pistol was discharged, and the ball entering his thigh was taken out 
of his breast. He died in three hours afterwards, regretting he 
had not been killed the day before. He was a native of Phila- 
delphia, a noble fellow, and an ornament to the army." 

Captain Allen Lowd, second artillery, occupied an important 
position in the works opposite Matamoras during the siege. He 
was the senior artillery officer present. A correspondent of the 
Albany Argus thus speaks of Captain Lowd and the part he took : 

" On the morning of the 3d of May, for six successive hours 
did Captain Lowd pour his fire into the enemy's batteries and into 
the town of Matamoras; his men working their guns till they were 
nigh totally exhausted, and he himself in the thickest of the fire, 
the enemy's balls flying round him and his men like hail— the 
Mexicans having concentrated their fire on his battery. His cap 
was blown from his head by the wind of a passing ball, and the 
guns near his person were frequently struck by the shot, which 
the enemy, with wonderful precision, fired through the embrasures. 
It is almost miraculous that neither he nor any one of his company 



96 . E OF GENERAL TAYLOR. 

was injui ■ were covered with the sand which 

memy's balls, striking near, ploughed from the faces of the 
embrasures and the edge of the parapet. 

•• Independent - • tain Lowd's energy and activity during the 

- ind discretion during the whole 
of th siet were s as 1 licit the admiration of all, and to 
render his counsel in those long, perilous hours, of infinite value to 
those who sought it." 

The : U, wing named :: .. rs .re natives of the State oi New 
York, and wei of Fort Brown, and in the 

act j_ - iPalma. The names - 

rgest the proud part the : - took in these affairs. 

ENGAGED IX DEFENCE OF FORT BROW.V. 

— . • A. B. Lansing. 

E. S. Hawkins. 
do. 0. P. Wh - 

do. do. Lieutenant J. C. Henshaw. 

do. tenant F. ' 

do. do. do. nant II. B I 

do. t W. K. VanBokkelen. 

PRESENT IX THE ACTI NS F 8TH AND 9TH MAY. 

Staff— S v- ' it Adjntant-generaL 

Med.: Staff- 
Regiment Artillery— Lieutenant 

Second Regime!-. '■--■ n — ain J. Duncan, commanding company 
Hor; 

do. do. do. Lieutenant L. Chase. 

do. do. do. L it J. J. Peck. 

Third Regiment Artillery — Lieutenant W. H. Churchill 
F. — MaJ 01 w - W - Morris. 

do. do. do.' Lieutenant C. Benjamin. 

Second Regiment Dragoons — Lieutenant F. Hamilton. 

da do. do. Lieutenant O. F. Winship. 

do. da do. Lieutenant D. B. Sacket 

Third Regiment Infantry — Captain L- N. ?.Iorris. 

do. do. do. " Captain H. Bainbridge. 

do. do. tain ,; - ?• : 

do. do. da Lieutenant W. S. Henry. 

Fourth Regime^". I - —Captain P. Morrison. 

do. do. * Captain Gourerneur Morris. 

Fifth Regiment I:.:" otry— Lieutenant M. Rosecranis. 
Eighth Regiment Infantry— Brevet Lieutenant-colonel Belknap. 

do. do. * Captain H McKavett. 

do. do. do. Captain J. V. Bomford. 

do. do. do. Lieutenant J. V. D. Reeve. 

da do. do. Lieutenant C. R- G 

do. do. do. Lieutenan: C. F. Morris. 



POSITION OF AFFAIRS. 97 



CHAPTER XV. 

Future operations—Instructions of the War Pepartment— The policy— Forward- 
ing of Troops— General Taylor follows— Inarch to Monterey— Siege and Capture 
of Monterey. 

The victories of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma followed the 
opening of hostilities M such quick succession, that when General 
Taylor found himself is possession of Matamoras, he was without 
any matured plan of nis own for future operations, or instructions 
from his government. The war had in reality but just opened, and 
the whole system of its prosecution on our part was now to be formed. 
In the mean h'me Lieutenant-colonel Garland, at the head of all the 
cavalry, regular and irregular, of our army, was despatched in pur- 
suit of the enemy, to harass his rear and capture prisoners and bag- 
cao-e. Means were also taken to ascertain the practicability of navi- 
gating the Rio Grande to a point sufficiently far up to enable the army 
to make a direct movement through the valley of the San Juan 
towards Monterey. 

Upon the receipt of General Taylor's reports of the affairs of Palo 
Alto and Resaca de la Palma, the Secretary of War, on the 8th June, 
forwarded instructions relative to future operations. In these instruc- 
tions General Taylor was assigned the entire command of the army 
on the Rio Grande ; and recommended to hold both banks of that 
river, as high up as Laredo, to secure the uninterrupted use of the 
stream for the transportation of supplies. He was also advised of 
the approach of a considerable force' at San Antonio de Bexar, which 
were to be placed under his command, and whose destination was to 
be Chihuahua. He was apprised that large reinforcements were 
preparing to join him, with a view of augmenting his strength suf- 
ficiently to enable him to capture and hold Monterey. His views 
were requested on different points relating to the fall campaign. 

On the 2d of July General Taylor replied to this communication, 
submitting his views in regard to further operations against Mexico in 
this quarter. The policy here recommended does not differ materially 
from that subsequently carried out, as far as practicable. Monterey, 
in the Province of New Leon, was decided upon as the first place of 
any magnitude to be captured ; and by the 1st of August the regular 

13 



98 LIFE OF GENERAL TAYLOR. 

force was nearly all at Camargo, and the volunteers were as soon 
thereafter as possible thrown forward to that point. General Tay- 
lor remained at Metamoras until the 5th of August, when he fol- 
lowed the troops, leaving General Twiggs in command of this garri- 
son. 

On the 6th of September General Taylor crossed the San Juan, 
and on the following day took up the \ine of march for Seralvo, where 
the forces under General Worth had halted. General Patterson was 
left in command of Camargo. 

Arriving at Seralvo the commanding general promulgated an order, 
enjoining his army to conduct their march vith the utmost precaution, 
to meet attacks, and secure baggage, as they might expect to meet with 
resistance in the further advance towards Moi^erey ; and detailing 
the order of march to Marin, which latter place tJwy reached on the 
17th. 

While here a copy of Pedro de Ampudia's address to his army in 
Monterey was received, by the commanding general, which stated the 
Mexican force to be 3000 regulars and auxiliary cavalry. The im- 
pression, from certain indications along the road from Seralvo, that 
Monterey was occupied by the enemy with a view to its defence, was 
now fully confirmed. 

General Taylor reached the neighborhood of the city on the morn- 
ing of the 19th September, 1846, and surveyed the town, fortifications, 
and surrounding country. His whole amount of force was 6,645 men ; 
with an artillery consisting of one 10-inch mortar, two 24-pounder 
howitzers, and four light field batteries, of 4 guns each. 

The principal redoubts of the enemy, in the north and east of the 
town were : 1st, a strong redoubt of masonry, of four faces, with open 
gorge of ten feet, prepared for four guns, overlooked and commanded 
by a large stone house in rear, prepared by sand-bags and loopholes 
for infantry ; 2d, strong redoubt, of four faces, open gorge of 20 feet, 
prepared for three guns ; 3d, fluches of masonry, for infantry ; 4th, 
tete de pont, in front of the bridge of the Purisina, a strong work of 
masonry for three guns ; 5th, a strong redoubt of masonry, for three 
guns, overlooking the approaches from Cadereita, and commanding 
the gorge No. 2 ; 6th, a strong redoubt of masonry, for three guns, 
overlooked and commanded by a large stone house, prepared for 
infantry with loopholes and sand-bags. All these redoubts, except 
No. 1, were connected by breastworks of earth and brush, for infan- 
try, thus forming a complete line of defence upon this side. The 



SIEGE OF MONTEREY. 99 

house-tops and garden-walls were loopholed throughout the city, and 
prepared with sand-bags for infantry defence. 7th, Fort Indepen- 
dence, or citadel — a large rectangular building, walls only standing, 
surrounded by an enclosed work of solid masonry, of four bastioned 
fronts, and prepared for thirty-one guns. From No. 7, along the 
southern edge of the town, a stone wall, four feet thick, and prepared 
with embrasures for guns, and banquettes for infantry, extended to 
the plaza ; 8th was the cathedral in main plaza, the principal maga- 
zine of the enemy. 

The commanding general of our army, after inspecting the heights 
and gorges in the direction of the Saltillo road, from the point attained 
by our advance, was of opinion that it was practicable to turn all the 
works in that direction, and thus cut the enemy's line of communica- 
tion. He then established his camp at "Walnut Hills," the nearest 
suitable place, and about three miles from the city, and ordered a 
close reconnoissance of the ground in question, which was executed 
by the engineer officers, under direction of Major Mansfield, on the 
evening of the 19th. A reconnoissance of the eastern approaches 
was also made by Capt. Williams, topographical engineers. 

The examination of Major Mansfield proved the entire practica- 
bility of throwing forward a column to the Saltillo road, and thus turn- 
ing the position of the enemy. 

For this important operation, Brevet Brig. Gen. Worth, command- 
ing the second division, was selected, to be assisted by the first regi- 
ment of Texas mounted volunteers, under command of Colonel Hays ; 
Capt. Sanders, engineers, and Lieut. Mead, topographical engineers ; 
with orders to turn the hill of the Bishop's Palace ; to occupy a posi- 
tion on the Saltillo road, and to carry the enemy's detached works in 
that quarter, where practicable. Gen. Worth moved from the main 
camp at El Bosque de St. Domingo, at 2 o'clock, P. M., of the 20th. 
His division complete, consisted of Lieut. Col. Duncan's battery of 
horse-artillery, artillery battalion (Lieut. Col. Childs), and eighth regi- 
ment (Captain Scriven), constituting the first brigade, under Lieut. 
Col. Staniford ; Lieut. Mackall's battery, horse-artillery ; fifth infantry 
(Maj. Scott) ; seventh (Capt! Miles) ; and one company Louisiana 
volunteers (Capt. Blanchard) ; second brigade, under Brig. Gen. 
Pensifer F. Smith (Col. of rifles); and Col. Hays' regiment of 
Texan mounted riflemen. 

It was soon discovered, by officers who were reconnoitring the 
town, and communicated to General Worth, that his movement had 



100 LIFE OF GENERAL TAYLOR. 

been perceived, and that the enemy was throwing reinforcements 
towards the Bishop's Palace, and the height that commanded it. To 
divert the enemy's attention as far as practicable, the first division, 
under Brig. Gen. Twiggs, and field division of volunteers, under Maj. 
Gen. Butler, were displayed in front of the town until dark. Ar- 
rangements were made at the same time, to place in battery, during 
the night, at a suitable distance from the enemy's main work, the cita- 
del, two 24-pounder howitzers, and a 10-inch mortar, with a view to 
open a fire on the following day, when the commander-in-chief pro- 
posed to make a diversion in favour of Gen. Worth's movement. 
The fourth infantry covered this battery during the night. 

As the operations of Gen. Worth contributed greatly to the capture 
of this important city, we shall give somewhat in detail his move- 
ments. Owing to the difficulties of the ground after leaving the 
" marin," and before striking the Presquina Grande road, the division 
under his command had reached but six miles, at six o'clock P. M., 
on the first day, and was halted just within the range of a gun-battery 
upon the summit of an isolated hill, called Loma de Independencia, 
mid-way on the ascent of which was Bishop's Palace. Thence a 
reconnoisance was made, under cover of detachments of Hays' Tex- 
ans, to the intersection of the Presquina Grande road, then in Gen. 
Worth's possession, with the Saltillo road. This resulted in the con- 
viction that the grounds in the front and on the left, in advance, con- 
stituted at the same time the weak and the strong points of the enemy's 
position, and entered mainly into the defences of the city — the weak 
point, because commanding the only lines of retreat and of supply in 
the direction of Saltillo, and controlling that in direction of Presquina 
Grande ; the strong point, because of the peculiar defensive character 
of the hills and gorges, and of the very careful and skillful manner 
with which they had been fortified and guarded. It was also clearly 
indicated that Gen. Worth's further advance would be strenuously 
resisted. 

On the following day, the 21st September, the division was formed 
in order of battle, and put in motion at an early hour in the morning. 
At 6 o'clock, the advance, consisting ot Hays' Texans, supported by 
the light companies 1st brigade, under Capt. C. F. Smith, closely fol- 
lowed by Duncan's light artillery, and battalions, heads of columns, 
on turning an angle of the mountain, at a hacienda called San Jero- 
nimo, came upon a strong force of cavalry and infantry, mostly the 
former. A conflict immediatelv ensued. The Texans received the 



STORMING OF MONTEREY. 101 

heavy charge of cavalry with their unerring rifles and usual gal- 
lantry ; the light companies opened a well-directed fire ; Duncan's 
battery was immediately in action, promptly supported by a section 
of Mackall's, delivering its fire over the heads of the other corps. 

The combat lasted but fifteen minutes, but oil its close the first 
brigade formed to the front, on the right and left, and delivered its fire 
— the second brigade was held in reserve, the ground not admitting 
of its deployment. The enemy retired in disorder upon the Saltillo 
road, and was closely pursued until we got possession of the gorge, 
where all the debouches from Monterey unite, whereby the force just 
defeated, as also reinforcements and supplies from that direction, were 
excluded from entering the city. At this important point the division 
was halted, and attention directed towards the mountain forts which 
envelop the city on its western and south-western faces. Being in an 
exposed situation, however, the troops were advanced some eight 
hundred yards further on the Saltillo road. 

To proceed with the narrative of these operations authentically, we 
avail ourself of portions of Gen. Worth's report. At 12 M. a force 
was detached under Capt. C. F. Smith, with orders to storm the bat- 
teries on the crest of the nearest hill, called Federacion, and after 
taking that, to carry the fort called Soldada, on the ridge of the same 
height retired about 600 yards. The two effectually guarded the 
slopes and roads in either valley, and consequently the approaches to 
the city. This command consisted of four companies of the artillery 
battalion, and Green's, McGowan's, R. A. Gillespie's, Chandler's, Bal- 
low's, and McCullough's company of Texan riflemen, under Major 
Chevalier, acting in co-operation — in all about 300 effectives. 

It was impossible to mark the movement of the storming party. 
On approaching the base of the mountain, the guns of both batteries 
opened a plunging fire, and numerous light troops were seen de- 
scending and arranging themselves at favorable points on the slopes. 
Perceiving these indications of determined resistance, Captain Miles 
was detached with the 7th to support and co-operate with the first 
party. In a short time the fire became general, the enemy gradually 
yielding and retiring up the rugged acclivity, and our men as steadily 
pursuing. 

The appearance of heavy reinforcements on the summit, and the 
cardinal importance of the operation demanding further support, the 
5th, under Major Scott, and Blanchard's company of volunteers, were 
immediately detached, accompanied by Brigadier General Smith, who 



102 LIFE OF GENERAL TAYLOR. 

was instructed to direct in that quarter. On reaching the advance 
parties, General Smith discovered that, under favor of the ground, he 
could, by diverting a portion of the force to the right, and moving it 
obliquely up the hill, carry the Soldada simultaneously with the 
Federation. He accordingly pointed, and accompanied the 5th, 7th, 
and Blachard's company in that direction. Captain Smith's command 
having most gallantly carried the first object of attack, promptly turned 
the captured gun upon the second, and moved on with his main body 
to participate in the assault upon Soldada ; which was carried in gal- 
lant style by the forces under Scott, Miles, Blanchard and Hays, the 
whole directed by General Smith. At this point another 9-pounder 
was secured, and both pieces were immediately brought to bear upon 
the Bishop's Palace, situated upon, and midway on the southern slope 
of the hill Independencia, a valley of only 600 yards intervening. 

We had now secured an important advantage, and yet but half the 
work was done. The possession of these heights only made the more 
apparent the controlling importance of those opposite, and the neces- 
sity of occupying the palace. A violent storm ensued, and night 
setting in, operations for the day ceased. The troops had now been 
36 hours without food, and constantly taxed to the utmost physical 
exertions. Such as could be permitted, slept, with arms in hand, 
subject to a pelting storm, and without covering, till 3 A. M., when 
they were aroused to carry the hill Independencia. 

Other portions of the army during this day were not idle. A 
strong diversion against the centre and left of the town was made by 
the Commander-in-Chief, to favor the enterprise of General Worth. 
The infantry and artillery of the first division, and the field division 
of volunteers, were ordered by General Taylor, under arms, in the 
direction of the city, leaving one company of each regiment as a 
camp guard. The 2d dragoons, under Lieutenant-colonel May, and 
Colonel Wood's regiment of Texas mounted volunteers, under the 
immediate direction of General Henderson, were directed to the right, 
to support General Worth, if necessary, and to make an impression, 
if practicable, upon the upper quarter of the city. Upon approach- 
ing the mortar battery, the first and third regiments of infantry, and 
battalion of Baltimore and Washington volunteers, with Captain 
Bragg's field battery — the whole under command of Lieutenant- 
colonel Garland — were directed towards the lower part of the town, 
with orders to make a strong demonstration, and to carry one of the 
enemy's advanced works, if it could be done without too heavy loss. 



STORMING OF MONTEREY. 103 

Major Mansfield, engineers, and Captain Williams and Lieutenant 
Pope, topographical engineers, accompanied this column, Major Mans- 
field being charged with its direction, and the designation of points 
of attack. 

In the meantime, the mortar, served by Captain Ramsay, of the 
ordnance, and the howitzer battery under Captain Webster, 1st artil- 
lery, had opened their fire on the citadel, which was deliberately sus- 
tained, and answered from the work. General Butler's division had 
now taken up a position in the rear of this battery, when the dis- 
charges of artillery, mingled finally with a rapid fire of small arms, 
showed that Lieutenant Colonel Garland's command had become 
warmly engaged. General Taylor now deeming it necessary to sup- 
port this attack, ordered the 4th infantry and three regiments of Gen- 
eral Butler's division to march at once by the left flank in the direc- 
tion of the advanced work at the lower extremity of the town, leaving 
the 1st Kentucky regiment to cover the mortar and howitzer battery. 
Lieutenant Colonel Garland's command had approached the town in a 
direction to the right of the advanced work at the north-eastern angle 
of the city, and the engineer officer, covered by skirmishers, had suc- 
ceeded in entering the suburbs and gaining cover. The remainder 
of this command now advanced, and entered the town under a heavy 
fire of artillery from the citadel and the works on the left, and of the 
musketry from the houses and small works in front. Captain Backus, 
1st infantry, with a portion of his own and other companies, gained 
the roof of a tannery, which looked directly into the gorge of the 
advanced work, from which he poured a most destructive fire into the 
work, and upon the strong building in its rear. This fire happily 
coincided in point of time with the advance of a portion of the vol- 
unteer division, and contributed largely to the fall of that strong and 
important work. 

Major General Butler, with three regiments of the volunteer divi- 
sion, in the mean time advanced in the direction of the advanced work. 
The leading brigade under Brigadier General Quitman, continued its 
advance upon the work, preceded by three companies of the 4th 
infantry, while the first Ohio regiment, with General Butler in per- 
son, entered the town to the right. 

The companies of the 4th infantry had advanced within short range 
of the work, when they were received by a fire that almost in one 
moment struck down one-third of the officers and men, and rendered 



104 LIFE OF GEHERAL TAYLOR. 

it necessaiy to retire and effect a conjunction with the two other com- 
panies then advancing. 

" General Quitman's brigade," says General Taylor, "though suffer- 
ing most severely, particularly in the Tennessee regiment, continued 
its advance, and finally carried the work in handsome style, as well as 
the strong building in its rear. Five pieces of artillery, a considera- 
ble supply of ammunition, and thirty prisoners, including three offi- 
cers, fell into our hands. Major General Butler, with the 1st Ohio 
regiment, after entering the edge of the town, discovered that nothing 
was to be accomplished in his front, and at this point, yielding to the 
suggestion of several officers, I ordered a retrograde movement ; but 
learning almost immediately from one of my staff that the battery, 
No. 1, was in our possession, the order was countermanded, and I 
determined to hold the battery and defences already gained. General 
Butler, with the 1st Ohio regiment, then entered the town at a point 
further to the left, and marched in the direction of the battery No. 2. 
While making an examination with a view to ascertain the possibility 
of carrying this second work by storm, the General was wounded 
and soon after compelled to quit the field. The 1st Ohio regiment 
was now withdrawn from the town, as the strength of this work, and 
the heavy musketry fire flanking its approach, rendered it impossible 
to succeed in carrying the battery." 

Further movements of the day, in the lower part of the city, are de- 
tailed in the Commander-in-Chief's report. " Fragments of the various 
regiments engaged were now under cover of the captured battery, 
and some buildings in its front and right. The field-batteries of Cap- 
tains Bragg and Ridgley were also partially covered by the battery. 
An incessant fire was kept up on this position from battery No. 2, 
and other works on its right, and from the citadel, on all our ap- 
proaches. General Twiggs, though quite unwell, joined me at this 
point, and was instrumental in causing the artillery captured from 
the enemy to be placed in battery, and served by Captain Ridgley 
against No. 2, until the arrival of Captain Webster's howitzer bat- 
tery, which took its place." 

General Taylor in the mean time directed such men as could be 
collected of the 1st, 3d, and 4th regiments, and Baltimore battalion, 
to enter the town, penetrating to the right, and carry the second bat- 
tery if possible. This command, under Lieut. Colonel Garland, ad- 
vanced beyond the bridge " Purisima," where, finding it impracticable 
to gain the rear of the second battery, a portion of it sustained them- 



STORMING OF MONTEREY. 105 

selves for some time in that advanced position ; but as no permanent 
impression could be made at that point, and the main object of the 
general operation had been effected, the command, including a sec- 
tion of Captain Ridgley's battery, which had joined it, was withdrawn 
to battery No. 1. 

During the absence of this column, a demonstrgTOm of cavalry was 
reported in the direction of the citadel. Captain Bragg, who was at 
hand, immediately galloped with his battery to a suitable position, 
from which a few discharges effectually dispersed the enemy. Cap- 
tain Miller, 1st infantry, was dispatched with a mixed command, to 
support the battery on this service. The enemy's lancers had previ- 
ously charged upon the Ohio and a part of the Mississippi regiment, 
at a distance from the edge of the town, and had been repulsed with 
considerable loss. A demonstration of cavalry on the opposite side 
of the river was also dispersed in the course of the afternoon by Cap- 
tain Ridgley's battery, and the squadrons returned to the city. At 
the approach of evening, all the troops that had been engaged were 
ordered back to camp, except Captain Ridgley's battery, and the regu- 
lar infantry of the 1st divisions, who were detailed as a guard for the 
works during the night, under command of Lieutenant Colonel Gar- 
land. One battalion of the 1st Kentucky regiment was ordered to 
reinforce this command. Intrenching tools were procured, and addi- 
tional strength was given to the works, and protection to the men, by 
working parties during the night, under direction of Lieutenant Scar- 
ritt, engineers. 

The main object of this division, proposed in the morning, had been 
effected. A powerful diversion had been made to favor the opera- 
tions of Gen. Worth. One of the enemy's advanced works had been 
carried, and we now had a strong foothold in the town. But this had 
not been accomplished without a very heavy loss, embracing some of 
our most gallant and promising officers. Capt. Williams, topo- 
graphical engineers ; Lieuts. Terrett and Dilworth, first infantry ; 
Lieut. Woods, 2d infantry ; Capts. Morris and Field, Brevet Major 
Barbour, Lieuts. Irwin and Hazlitt, 3d infantry ; Lieut. Hoskins, 4th 
infantry; Lieut. Col. Watson, Baltimore battalion j Capt. Allen and 
Lieut. Putnam, Tennessee regiment; and Lieut. Hett, Ohio regi- 
ment ; were killed, or have since died of their wounds, received in 
this engagement ; while the number and rank of the officers wounded, 
give additional proof of the obstinacy of the contest, and the good 
conduct of our troops. The number of killed and wounded, incident 

14 



106 LIFE OF GENERAL TAYLOR. 

to the operations in the lower part of the city on the 21st, is 394. 
Among those killed in the 2d division, under General Worth, on this 
day, was Capt. McKevett, 8th infantry, a gallant officer. 

On the 22d, operations were commenced on the west face of the 
town, at 3 o'cIocJqA. M., by the storming of the hill Independencia. 
Lieut. Col. Chilofwas assisted to lead this storming party, consisting 
of three companies artillery battalion, three companies 8th infan- 
try, under Capt. Schriven, with 200 Texan riflemen, under Col. 
Hays. The command moved at three, conducted to its ascent by 
Capt. Sanders, military, and Lieut. Meade, topographical engineers. 

When Cols. Childs' and Hays' command had reached within a few 
yards of the summit, a well-directed and destructive fire, followed by 
the bayonet of the regulars, and rush of the Texans, placed us in 
possession of the work. 

From this point, an attack was now meditated upon the palace. For 
this purpose, Lient. Roland, of Duncan's battery, was ordered from 
the main camp, with a 12-pound howitzer; and in two hours (aided 
by 50 men of the line, under Capt. Sanders) that enterprising and 
gallant officer had his gun in position, having ascended an acclivity 
as rugged as steep, between 7 and 800 feet. A fire was opened from 
the howitzer, covered by the empaulment of the captured battery, 
upon the palace and its outworks — 400 yards distant — and soon pro- 
duced visible effects. Meanwhile the position had been reinforced 
by the 5th, Major Scott, and Blanchard's volunteers. 

The enemy attempted to repossess the heights by a heavy sortie, 
sustained by a strong corps of cavalry, but were repulsed by Lieut. 
Col. Childs, and two companies light troops, under Capt. Vinton, and 
Hays' and Walker's Texans. " In a few moments, the unpretending 
flag of the Union replaced the gaudy standard of Mexico." The 
captured guns — one 6-inch howitzer, one 12, and two 9-pounder brass 
guns — together with Duncan's and Mackall's field batteries, were 
now brought to bear upon the retiring and confused masses that filled 
the street leading to the nearest plaza, enfilading the street, and la 
capella, also crowded with troops. 

The investment was now complete, and General Worth concentra- 
ted his division, except the force necessary to hold positions on Inde- 
pendencia, around the palace, in preparation to assault the city on 
the following day, or sooner, should the commander-in-chief so direct ; 
or renew the assault from the opposite quarter. 

In the lower part of the city, no active operations were carried on 



STORMING OF MONTEREY. 107 

this day. During the night, the enemy evacuated nearly all his 
defences. This being reported to General Taylor on the morning of 
the 23d by General Quitman, that officer was instructed, subject to 
his discretion, to enter the city, covering his men by the houses and 
walls, and advance as far as practicable. AfteArdering the remain- 
der of the troops as a reserve, under the orders of Brig. Gen. Twiggs, 
General Taylor repaired to the abandoned works, and discovered 
that a portion of Gen. Quitman's brigade had entered the town, and 
were successfully forcing their way towards the principal plaza. He 
then ordered up the 2d regiment Texas mounted volunteers, who 
entered the city dismounted, and, under the immediate orders of Gen. 
Henderson, co-operated with Gen. Quitman's brigade. Captain 
Bragg's battery was also ordered up, and our troops advanced from 
house to house, and from square to square, until near where the 
enemy's main force was concentrated, dealing death among the 
enemy's ranks, but suffering slightly ourselves. General Taylor 
was now satisfied that we could operate successfully in the city, and 
that the enemy had retired from the lower part of the city, to make a 
stand behind his barricades, and the troops were ordered to fall back 
to their original positions, until he could concert with General Worth 
a combined attack. 

In the mean time General Worth, on the morning of the 23d, 
organized two columns of attack, to act in co-operation with General 
Taylor, supposing (from the firing) him to have commenced a main 
attack, by moving along the principal streets leading from his 
position, in direction of the main plaza, composed of light troops, 
slightly extended ; and with orders to mask the men whenever practi- 
cable ; avoid those points swept by the enemy's artillery ; and when 
beyond the plaza " capella," to enter the buildings, and by means of 
picks and bars, break through the longitudinal section of the walls ; 
work from house to house, and, ascending, to place themselves 
upon the breast height with the enemy. Light artillery, by sections 
and pieces, under Duncan, Roland, Mackall, Martin, Hays, Nous, 
Clarke, and Curd, followed at suitable intervals. The streets, at 
different and well-chosen points, were barricaded by heavy masonry 
walls, with embrasures for one or more guns, and supported by cross 
batteries. 

At dark the columns had worked through the walls and squares to 
within one block of the great plaza, leaving a covered way in the 
rear, when the operations were suspended, to be renewed at dawn of 



108 LIFE OF GENERAL TAYLOR. 

day. Major Munroe, chief of artiilery, had also succeeded in reach- 
ing the chapel, near the plaza, with a 10-inch mortar, which he had 
adjusted and opened on the square. Major Brown, after repulsing 
the enemy's piquets, and taking possession of the narrow gorge of St. 
Catharine during tjie day, also came up to form the reserve to the 
assaulting columns. 

Early on the morning of the 24th, General Taylor received the 
following, by the hand of Col. Moreno: 

" Headquarters, Monterey, Sept. 23, 1846, ) 
at 9 o'clock at night. \ 

" General : — As I have made every defence of which I believe this 
city capable, I have fulfilled my obligation, and done all required by 
that military honor which, to a certain degree, is common to all the 
armies of the civilized world. And as a continuation of the defence 
would only bring upon the population distresses to which they have 
already been sufficiently subjected by the evils consequent upon war, 
and believing that the American government will appreciate those 
sentiments, I propose to your excellency to evacuate the city and 
citadel, taking with me the personel and materiel of war which is left ; 
and under the assurance that no prosecution shall be undertaken 
against the citizens who have taken part in the defence. 

" Be pleased to accept the assurance of my most distinguished con- 
sideration. 

Pedro de Ampudia. 
" Senor Don Z. Taylor, General-in-Chief of the American Army." 

To which General Taylor replied as follows : 

" Headquarters, Army of Occupation, Camp before Monterey, ) 
Sept 24, 1846, 7 o'clock, A. M. \ 

" Sir : — Your communication bearing date at 9 o'clock, P. M., on 
the 23d, has just been received by the hands of Col. Moreno. 

" In answer to your proposition to evacuate the city and fort with 
all the personel and materiel of war, I have to state that my duty 
compels me to decline acceding to it. A complete surrender of the 
town and garrison, the latter as prisoners of war, is now demanded. 
But such surrender will be upon terms, and the gallant defence of 
the place, creditable alike to the Mexican troops and nation, will 
prompt me to make those terms as liberal as possible. The garrison 
will be allowed, at your option, after laying down its arms, to retire 



CAPITULATION OF MONTEREY. 109 

to the interior, on condition of not serving again durino- the war, or 
until regularly exchanged. I need hardly say that the rights of non- 
combatants will be respected. 

" An answer to this communication is required by 12 o'clock. If 
you assent to an accommodation, an officer will be despatched at 
once, under instructions to arrange the conditions^ 

" I am, sir, very respectfully, your ob't servant, 

Z. Taylor, 
Major General U. S. Commanding. 
" Senor D.' Pedro de Ampudia, General-in-chief, Monterey." 

General Taylor now repaired to the headquarters of General 
Worth, where he had an interview with General Ampudia, at the re- 
quest of the latter, which finally resulted in a capitulation. We 
subjoin a copy of that capitulation, signed by the commissioners and 
commanding generals. 

" Terms of capitulation of the city of Monterey, the capital of 
Nueva Leon, agreed upon by the undersigned commissioners, to wit : 
General Worth of the United States army, General Henderson of the 
Texan volunteers, and Colonel Davis of the Mississippi riflemen, on 
the part of Major General Taylor, commanding-in-chief the United 
States forces ; and General Requena and General Ortega of the army 
of Mexico, and Senor Manuel M. Liana, Governor of Nueva Leon, 
on the part of Senor General Don Pedro Ampudia, commanding-in- 
chief the army of the north of Mexico. 

"Art. 1. As the legitimate result of the operations before this 
place, and the present position of the contending armies, it is agreed 
that the city, the fortifications, cannon, the munitions of war, and all 
other public property, with the undermentioned exceptions, be sur- 
rendered to the commanding general of the United States forces now 
at Monterey. 

" Art. 2. That the Mexican forces be allowed to retain the fol- 
lowing arms, to wit : the commissioned officers their side-arms the 
infantry their arms and accoutrements, the cavalry their arms and 
accoutrements, the artillery one field battery, not to exceed six pieces, 
with twenty-one rounds of ammunition. 

" Art. 3. That the Mexican armed forces retire within seven days 
from this date beyond the line formed by the pass of the Rinconada, 
the city of Linares and San Fernando de Presas. 

" Art. 4. That ihe citadel of Monterey be evacuated by the Mexi- 



HO LIFE OF GENERAL TAYLOR. 

can and occupied by the American forces to-morrow morning at ten 
o'clock. 

" Art. 5. To avoid collisions, and for mutual convenience, that the 
troops of the United States will not occupy the city until the Mexican 
forces have withdrawn, except for hospital and storage purposes. 

" Art. 6. That the forces of the United States will not advance be- 
yond the line specified in the 3d article before the expiration of eight 
weeks, or until the orders or instructions of the respective govern- 
ments can be received. 

" Art. 7. That the public property to be delivered shall be turned 
over and received by officers appointed by the commanding generals 
of the two armies. 

" Art. 8. That all doubts as to the meaning of any of the preceding 
articles shall be solved by an equitable construction and on principles 
of liberality to the retiring army. 

" Art. 9. That the Mexican flag, when struck at the citadel, may 
be saluted by its own battery. 

" Done at Monterey, September 24th, 1846. 

W. J. Worth, 
Brigadier General United States Army. 

J. Pinkney Henderson, 
Major General Com. Texan Volunteers. 

Jeff. Davis, 

Colonel Misssissippi Riflemen. 

Manuel M. Llano. 
T. Requena. 
Ortega. 
Approved : Z. Taylor, 

Major General U. S. A. Commanding. 

Pedro Ampudia." 

Our loss in the affair at Monterey, was 12 officers and 108 men 
killed ; 31 officers and 337 men wounded — as reported by the Gen- 
eral-in-Chief. 

The limits prescribed to this volume forbid the mentioning of very 
many gallant officers that took part in the brilliant siege and capture 
of this formidable city ; also the giving in more elaborate detail of 
the minor events incident to the siege and storm. 



BATTLE OF BUENA VISTA. Ill 



CHAPTER XVI. 

Battle of Buena Vista. 



We pass over the incidents of the camp from the capitulation of 
Monterey, to the 22d of February, 1847, on which day commenced 
the sanguinary and brilliant battle of Buena Vista. On the 21st, 
General Taylor took up his position at the Hacienda of Buena Vista, 
about eleven miles in the rear of Agua Nueva, his former headquar- 
ters, and prepared for an attack from Santa Anna, the commander of 
the Mexican forces, whom he had ascertained to be in large force at 
Encarnacion, some thirty miles in advance of Agua Nueva. 

On the 22d, at an early hour in the morning, the enemy was seen 
advancing with his cavalry. Our troops were already in position, 
occupying a line of remarkable strength. The features of the ground 
were such as nearly to paralyze the artillery and cavalry of the ene- 
my, while his infantry could not derive all the advantage of its nu- 
merical superiority. Captain Washington's battery, 4th artillery, 
was posted to command the road, at this point a narrow defile, the 
valley on the right being quite impracticable for artillery, by the nu- 
merous impassable gullies. Cols. Hardin and Bissell, each with 
eight companies of the 1st and 2d regiments Illinois volunteers, as- 
sisted by Captain Conner's company Texas volunteers, and Colonel 
McKee, with the 2d Kentucky regiment, occupied the crests of the 
ridges on the left and in rear. The Arkansas and Kentucky regi- 
ments of cavalry, commanded by Cols. Yell and Humphrey Marshall, 
occupied the extreme left near the base of the mountain, while the 
Indiana brigade, under Brigadier General Lane (composed of the 2d 
and 3d regiments under Cols. Bowles and Lane), the Mississippi 
riflemen, under Col. Davis, the squadrons of the 1st and 2d dragoons, 
under Capt. Steen and Lieut. Col. May, and the light batteries of 
Capts. Sherman and Bragg, 3d artillery, were held in reserve. 

This was the position of the American army when General Taylor 
received from Santa Anna a summons to surrender. The American 
commander declined, and soon after a demonstration was made on the 
enemy's left, when General Taylor detached the 2d Kentucky regi- 
ment and a section of artillery to our right, which had no occasion 
for service during the day. In the mean time the Mexican light 



112 LIFE OF GENERAL TAYLOR. 

troops had engaged ours on the extreme left, (composed of Colonel 
Marshall's command, of parts of the Arkansas and Kentucky cavalry, 
dismounted, and a rifle battalion from the Indiana brigade under Ma- 
jor Gorman,) and kept up a sharp fire, climbing the mountain side, 
and apparently endeavoring to gain our flank. Three pieces of Cap- 
tain Washington's battery had been detached to the left, and were 
supported by the 2d Indiana regiment. An occasional shell was 
thrown by the enemy into this part of the line, but without effect. 
The skirmishing of the light troops was kept up until dark. 

On the morning of the 23d, it was perceived that the enemy had 
thrown a body of light troops on the mountain side, with the purpose 
of outflanking our left ; and here the action commenced at an early 
hour. Our riflemen, under Colonel Marshall, who had been rein- 
forced by three companies under Major Trail, 2d Illinois volunteers, 
maintained their ground handsomely against a greatly superior force, 
holding themselves under cover, and using their weapons with deadly 
effect. 

About 8 o'clock a strong demonstration was made against the centre 
of our position, a heavy column moving along the road. This force was 
soon dispersed by a few rapid and well-directed shots from Captain 
Washington's battery. In the mean time the enemy was concen- 
trating a large force of infantry and cavalry under cover of the 
ridges, with the obvious intention of forcing our left, which was posted 
on an extensive plateau. The 2d Indiana and 2d Illinois regiments 
formed this part of our line, the former covering three pieces of light 
artillery, under the orders of Captain O'Brien — Brigadier General 
Lane being in the immediate command. In order to bring his men 
within effective range, General Lane ordered the artillery and 2d In- 
diana regiment forward. The artillery advanced within musket 
range of a heavy body of Mexican infantry, and was served against 
it with great effect, but without being able to check its advance. The 
infantry ordered to its support had fallen back in disorder, being ex- 
posed, as well as the battery, not only to a severe fire of small arms 
from the front, but also to a murderous cross-fire of grape and canis- 
ter from a Mexican battery on the left. Capt. O'Brien found it im- 
possible to retain his position without support, but was only able to 
withdraw two of his pieces, all the horses and cannoneers of the 
third piece being killed or disabled. 

The 2d Indiana regiment, which had fallen back as stated, could 
not be rallied, and took no farther part in the action, except a handful 



BATTLE OF BUENA VISTA. 113 

of men, who, under its gallant Colonel (Bowles) joined the Missis- 
sippi regiment, and did good service, " and those fugitives who, at a 
later period of the day, assisted in defending the train and dep6t at 
Buena Vista." This portion of our line having given way, and the 
enemy appearing in overwhelming force against our flank, the light 
troops which had rendered such good service on the mountain, were 
compelled to withdraw, which they did for the most part in good or- 
der. Many, however, were not rallied until they reached the dep6t 
at Buena Vista, to the defence of which they afterward contributed. 
Colonel BisselPs regiment, 2d Illinois, had become outflanked, and 
was compelled to fall back, being entirely unsupported. 

The enemy was now pouring masses of infantry and cavalry along 
the base of the mountain on our left, and was gaining our rear in 
great force. At this moment General Taylor arrived upon the field 
— having been absent through the night and the early morning in the 
direction of the city, making dispositions for protecting the rear 
against a body of cavalry under Mifion. The Mississippi regiment 
had been directed to the left before reaching the position, and imme- 
diately came into action against the Mexican infantry which had 
turned our flank. The second Kentucky regiment, and a section of 
artillery under Capt. Bragg, had previously been ordered from the 
right to reinforce our left, and arrived at a most opportune moment. 
That regiment, and a portion of the 1st Illinois under Col. Hardin, 
gallantly drove the enemy, and recovered a portion of the ground we 
had lost. 

The batteries of Capts. Sherman and Bragg were in position on the 
plateau, and did much execution, not only in the front, but particu- 
larly upon the masses which had gained our rear. Discovering that 
the enemy was heavily pressing upon the Mississippi regiment, the 
commanding general dispatched the 3d Indiana regiment, under Col. 
Lane, to strengthen that part of our line, which formed a " crotchet 
perpendicular to the first line of battle." At the same time Lieut. 
Kilburn, with a piece of Capt. Bragg's battery, was directed to sup- 
port the infantry there engaged. 

The action was for a long time warmly sustained at that point ; 
the enemy making several efforts both with infantry and cavalry 
against our line, and being repulsed always with heavy loss. All the 
regular cavalry and Capt. Pike's squadron of Arkansas horse had 
been placed under the orders of Brevet Lieut. Col. May, with direc- 
tions to hold in check the enemy's column, still advancing to the rear 

15 



114 LIFE OF GENERAL TAYLOR. 

along the base of the mountain, which was done in conjunction with 
the Kentucky and Arkansas cavalry, under Cols. Marshall and Yell. 
In the mean time our left, which was still strongly threatened by a 
superior force, was further strengthened by the detachment of Capt. 
Bragg's and a portion of Capt. Sherman's batteries to that quarter. 
The concentration of artillery fire upon the masses of the enemy along 
the base of the mountain, and the determined resistance offered by the 
two regiments opposed to them, had created confusion in the ranks, 
and some of the corps attempted to effect a retreat upon their main 
line of battle. The squadron of the 1st dragoons, under Lieut. Ru- 
ker, was now ordered up the deep ravine which these retreating corps 
were endeavoring to cross, in order to charge and disperse them. 
The squadron proceeded to the point indicated, but could not accom- 
plish the object, being exposed to a heavy fire from the battery estab- 
lished to cover the retreat of those corps. While the squadron was 
detached on this service, a large body of the enemy was observed to 
concentrate on our extreme left, apparently with the view of making 
a descent upon the hacienda of Buena Vista, where our train and bag- 
gage were deposited. Lieut. Col. May was ordered to the support of 
that point, with two pieces of Capt. Sherman's battery, under Lieut. 
Reynolds. In the mean time the scattered forces near the hacienda, com- 
posed in part of Majors Trail and Gorman's commands, had been, to 
some extent, organized under the advice of Major Munroe, chief of 
artillery, with the assistance of Major Morrison, volunteer staff, and 
were posted to defend the position. Before our cavalry had reached 
the hacienda, that of the enemy had made its attack, having been 
handsomely met by the Kentucky and Arkansas cavalry, under Cols. 
Marshall and Yell. The Mexican column immediately divided, one 
portion sweeping by the depot, where it received a destructive fire 
from the force which had collected there, and then gaining the moun- 
tain opposite, under a fire from Lieut. Reynolds' section, the remain- 
ing portion regaining the base of the mountain on our left. 

In the charge at Buena Vista, Col. Yell fell gallantly at the head 
of his regiment ; here alse fell Adjutant Vaughn, of the Kentucky 
cavalry — a young officer of much promise. Lieut. Col. May, who 
had been rejoined by the squadron of the 1st dragoons, and by por- 
tions of the Arkansas and Indiana troops, under Lieut. Col. Roane 
and Major Gorman, now approached the base of the mountain, hold- 
ing in check the right flank of the enemy, upon whose masses, crowded 
in the narrow gorges and ravines, our artillery was doing fearful exe- 



TATTLE OF BUEXA VISTA. 115 

cution. The position of that portion of the Mexican army which 
had gained our rear was now very critical, and it seemed doubtful 
whether it could regain the main body. At this time General Tay- 
lor received from Santa Anna a message by a staff officer, desiring 
to know " what he wanted." General Wool was immediately dis- 
patched with a reply, but did not procure an interview with the Mexi- 
can Commander-in-Chief. The extreme right of the enemy finally 
succeeded in effecting a retreat and joining the main body. 

" During the day the cavalry of Gen. Miiion had ascended the ele- 
vated plain above Saltillo, and occupied the road from the city to the 
field of battle, where they intercepted several of our men. Ap- 
proaching the town they were fired upon by Capt. Webster from the 
redoubt occupied by his company, and then moved oft' towards the 
eastern side of the valley, and obliquely toward Buena Vista. At 
this time, Capt. Shover moved rapidly forward with his piece, sup- 
ported by a miscellaneous command of mounted volunteers, and fired 
several shots at the cavalry with great effect. They were driven 
into the ravines which led to the lower valley, closely pursued by 
Capt. Shover, who was farther supported by a piece of Capt. Web- 
ster's battery, under Lieut. Donaldson, which had advanced from the 
redoubt, supported by Capt. Wheeler's company Illinois volunteers. 
The enemy made one or two efforts to charge the artillery, but was 
finally driven back in a confused mass, and did not again appear upon 
the plain. 

" In the mean time, the firing had partially ceased upon the principal 
field. The enemy seemed to confine his efforts to the protection of 
his artilleiy, and I had left the plateau for a moment, when I was 
recalled thither by a very heavy musketry fire. On regaining that 
position, I discovered that our infantry (Illinois and 2d Kentucky) had 
engaged a greatly superior force of the enemy — evidently his reserve 
— and that they had been overwhelmed by numbers. The moment 
was most critical. Capt. O'Brien, with two pieces, had sustained this 
heavy charge to the last, and was finally obliged to leave his guns on 
the field — his infantry support being entirely routed. Capt. Bragg, 
who had just arrived from the' left, was ordered at once into battery. 
Without any infantry to support him, and at the imminent risk of 
losing his guns, this officer came rapily into action, the Mexican line 
being but a few yards from the muzzle of his pieces. The first 
discharge of canister caused the enemy to hesitate, the second and 
third drove him back in disorder, and saved the day. The 2d Ken- 



116 LIFE OF GENERAL TAYLOR. 

tucky regiment, which had advanced beyond supporting distance in 
this affair, was driven, back and closely pressed by the enemy's cav- 
alry. Taking a ravine which led in the direction of Capt. Washing- 
ton's battery, their pursuers became exposed to his fire, which soon 
checked and drove them back with loss. In the mean time the rest of 
our artillery had taken position on the plateau, covered by the Missis- 
sippi and 3d Indiana regiments, the former of which had reached the 
ground in time to pour a fire into the right flank of the enemy, and thus 
contribute to his repulse. In this last conflict we had the misfortune 
to sustain a very heavy loss. Col. Hardin, 1st Illinois, and Col. 
McKee, and Lieut. Col. Clay, 2d Kentucky regiments, fell at this 
time while gallantly heading their commands." 

This closed the action for the day. During the night, the wound- 
ed were removed to Saltillo, and every preparation made to receive 
the enemy the next day. Seven fresh companies were drawn from 
the town, and Brig. Gen. Marshall, with a reinforcement of Kentucky 
cavalry, and four heavy guns, under Capt. Prentiss, 1st artillery, 
was near at hand, when it was discovered that the enemy had aban- 
doned his position during the night — he had fallen back on Agua 
Nueva. General Taylor deemed it inexpedient to hazard a pursuit. 
An exchange of prisoners was effected. 

On the 27th, the enemy having evacuated Agua Nueva, our army 
resumed its old quarters. A command was despatched to Encarna- 
cion on the 1st March, by General Taylor, under Colonel Belknap, 
where some 200 wounded, and about 60 Mexican soldiers were found, 
left by the enemy. The dead and dying were strewed upon the road, 
and crowded the buildings of the hacienda. 

The following is the conclusion of General Taylor's report of this 
battle : 

"The American force engaged in the action of Buena Vista is shown, 
by the accompanying field report, to have been 334 officers, and 4,425 
men, exclusive of the small command left in and near Saltillo. Of 
this number, two squadrons of cavalry, and three batteries of light 
artillery, making not more than 453 men, composed the only force of 
regular troops. The strength of the Mexican army is stated by Gen. 
Santa Anna, in his summons, to be 20,000 ; and that estimate is con- 
firmed by all the information since obtained. Our loss is 267 killed, 
456 wounded, and 23 missing. Of the numerous wounded, many 
did not require removal to the hospital, and it is hoped that a compa- 
ratively small number will be permanently disabled. The Mexicar 



BATTLE OF BUENA VISTA. 117 

loss in killed and wounded may be fairly estimated at 1,500, and will 
probably reach 2,000. At least 500 of their killed were left upon 
the field of battle. We have no means of ascertaining the number of 
deserters and dispersed men from their ranks, but it is known to be 
very great. 

"Our loss has been especially severe in officers, twenty-eio-ht 
having been killed upon the field. We have to lament the death of 
Capt. George Lincoln, Assistant Adj. Gen. serving in the staff of 
Gen. Wool — a young officer of high bearing and approved gallantry, 
who fell early in the action. No loss falls more heavily upon the 
army in the field than that of Cols. Hardin and McKee, and Lieut. 
Col. Clay. Possessing in a remarkable degree the confidence of their 
commands, and the last two having enjoyed the advantage of a mili- 
tary education, I had looked particularly to them for support in case 
we met the enemy. I need not say that their zeal in engaging the 
enemy, and the cool and steadfast courage with which they main- 
tained their positions during the day, fully realized my hopes, and 
caused me to feel yet more sensibly their untimely loss. 

" I perform a grateful duty in bringing to the notice of the Govern- 
ment the general good conduct of the troops. Exposed for successive 
nights, without fires, to the severity of the weather, they were ever 
prompt and cheerful in the discharge of every duty, and finally dis- 
played conspicuous steadiness and gallantry in repulsing, at threat 
odds, a disciplined foe. While the brilliant success achieved by their 
arms releases me from the painful necessity of specifying many cases 
of bad conduct before the enemy, I feel an increased obligation to 
mention particular corps and officers, whose skill, coolness, and gal- 
lantry in trying situations, and under a continued and heavy fire, 
seem to merit particular notice. 

" To Brig. Gen. Wool my obligations are especially due. The 
high state of discipline and instruction of several of the volunteer 
regiments was attained under his command, and to his vigilance and 
arduous service before the action, and his gallantry and activity on 
the field, a large share of our success may be justly attributed. Du- 
ring most of the engagement he was in immediate command of the 
troops thrown back on our left flank. I beg leave to recommend 
him to the favorable notice of the Government. Bri^. Gen. Lane 
(slightly wounded) was active and zealous throughout the day, and 
displayed great coolness and gallantry before the enemy. 

"The services of the light artillery, always conspicuous, were 



118 LIFE OF GENERAL TAYLOR. 

more than usually distinguished. Moving rapidly over the roughest 
ground, it was always in action at the right place and the right time, 
and its well-directed fire dealt destruction in the masses of the enemy. 
While I recommend to particular favor the gallant conduct and valua- 
ble services of Major Munroe, chief of artillery, and Captains Wash- 
ington, 4th artillery, and Sherman and Bragg, 3d artillery, commanding 
batteries, I deem it no more than just to mention all the subaltern offi- 
cers. They were nearly all detached at different times, and in every 
situation exhibited conspicuous skill and gallantry. Capt. O'Brien, 
Lieuts. Brent, Whiting, and Couch, 4th artillery, and Bryan, topo- 
graphical engineers (slightly wounded), were attached to Capt. Wash- 
ington's battery ; Lieuts. Thomas, Reynolds, and French, 3d artillery 
(severely wounded), to that of Capt. Sherman ; and Capt. Shover and 
Lieut. Kilburn, 3d artillery, to that of Capt. Bragg. Capt. Shover, 
in conjunction with Lieut. Donaldson, 1st artillery, rendered gallant 
and important service in repulsing the cavalry of Gen. Minon. The 
regular cavalry, under Lieut. Col. May, with which was associated 
Capt. Pike's squadron of Arkansas horse, rendered useful service in 
holding the enemy in check, and in covering the batteries at several 
points. Capt. Steen, 1st dragoons, was severely wounded early in 
the day, while gallantly endeavoring, with my authority, to rally the 
troops which were falling to the rear. 

" The Mississippi riflemen, under Col. Davis, were highly conspicu- 
ous for their gallantry and steadiness, and sustained throughout the 
engagement the reputation of veteran troops. Brought into action 
against an immensely superior force, they maintained themselves for 
a long time unsupported and with heavy loss, and held an important 
part of the field until reinforced. Col. Davis, though severely 
wounded, remained in the saddle until the close of the action. His 
distinguished coolness and gallantry at the head of his regiment on 
this day, entitle him to the particular notice of the Government. The 
3d Indiana regiment, under Col. Lane, and a fragment of the 2d, un- 
der Col. Bowles, were associated with the Mississippi regiment during 
the greater portion of the day, and acquitted themselves creditably in 
repulsing the attempts of the enemy to break that portion of our line. 
The Kentucky cavalry, under Col. Marshall, rendered good service 
dismounted, acting as light troops on our left, and afterward, with a 
portion of the Arkansas regiment, in meeting and dispersing the col- 
umn of cavalry at Buena Vista. The 1st and 2d Illinois, and the 2d 
Kentucky regiments served immediately under my eye, and I bear a 



BATTLE OF BUENA VISTA. 119 

willing testimony to their excellent conduct throughout the day. The 
spirit and gallantry with which the 1st Illinois and 2d Kentucky en- 
gaged the enemy in the morning, restored confidence to that part of 
the field, while the list of casualties will show how much these three 
regiments suffered in sustaining the heavy charge of the enemy in 
the afternoon. Capt. Conner's company of Texas volunteers, at- 
tached to the "2d Illinois regiment, fought bravely, its captain being 
wounded and two subalterns killed. Col. Bissell, the only surviving 
Colonel of these regiments, merits notice for his coolness and bravery 
on this occasion. After the fall of the field officers of the 1st Illi- 
nois and 2d Kentucky regiments, the command of the former devolved 
upon Lieut. Col. Weatherford ; that of the latter upon Major Fry. 

" Regimental commanders and others who have rendered reports, 
speak in general terms of the good conduct of their officers and men, 
and have specified many names, but the limits of this report forbid a 
recapitulation of them here. I may, however, mention Lieutenants 
Rucker and Campbell of the dragoons, and Captain Pike, Arkansas 
cavalry, commanding squadrons ; Lieut. Col. Field, Kentucky cav- 
alry ; Lieut. Col. Roane, Arkansas cavalry, upon whom the command 
devolved after the fall of Col. Yell ; Major Bradford, Captain Sharpe 
(severely wounded), and Adjutant Griffith, Mississippi regiment; 
Lieut. Col. Hadden, 2d Indiana regiment, and Lieut. Robinson, A. 
D. C. to General Lane ; Lieut. Col. Weatherford, 1st Illinois regi- 
ment ; Lieut. Col. Morrison, Major Trail, and Adjutant Whiteside 
(severely wounded), 2d Illinois regiment ; and Major Fry, 2d Ken- 
tucky regiment, as being favorably noticed for gallantry and good 
conduct. Major McCullock, Quartermaster in the volunteer service, 
rendered important services before the engagement, in the command 
of a spy company, and during the affair was associated with the regu- 
lar cavalry. To Major Warren, 1st Illinois volunteers, I feel much 
indebted for his firm and judicious course, while exercising command 
in the city of Saltillo. 

" The medical staff", under the able direction of Assistant Surgeon 
Hitchcock, were assiduous in attention to the wounded upon the field, 
and in their careful removal to the rear. Both in these respects, and 
in the subsequent organization and service of the hospitals, the admi- 
nistration of his department was every thing that could be wished. 

" Brigadier Gen. Wool speaks in high terms of the officers of his 
staff, and I take pleasure in mentioning them here, having witnessed 
their activity and zeal upon the field. Lieut, and A. D.C. Mc- 



120 LIFE OF GENERAL TAYLOR. 

Dowell, Col. Churchhill, Inspector General, Capt. Chapman, Assistant 
Quartermaster, Lieut. Sitgreaves, topographical engineers, and Capts. 
Howard and Davis, volunteer service, are conspicuously noticed by 
the General for their gallantry and good conduct. Messrs. March, 
Addicks, Potts, Harrison, Burgess, and Dusenberg, attached in va- 
rious capacities to Gen. Wool's headquarters, are also mentioned for 
their intelligent alacrity in conveying orders to all parts of the field. 
" In conclusion, I beg leave to speak of my own staff, to whose 
exertions in rallying troops and communicating orders I feel greatly 
indebted. Maj. Bliss, Ass't Adj. Gen., Capt. J. H. Eaton, and Lieut. 
R. S. Garnett, aids-de-camp, served near my person, and were 
prompt and zealous in the discharge of every duty. Maj. Munroe, 
besides rendering valuable service as Chief of Artillery, was active 
and instrumental, as were also Cols. Churchhill and Belknap, Inspec- 
tors General, in rallying troops and disposing them for the defence 
of the train and baggage. Colonel Whiting, Quartermaster Gene- 
ral, and Captain Eaton, Chief of the Subsistence Department, were 
engaged with the duties of their Departments and also served in 
my immediate staff on the field. Capt. Sibley, Assistant Quarter- 
master, was necessarily left with the headquarter camp near town, 
where his services were highly useful. Maj. Mansfield and Lieut. 
Benham, engineers, and Capt. Linnard, and Lieuts. Pope and Frank- 
lin, topographical engineers, were employed before and during the 
en^a^ement in making reconnoisances, and in the field were very 
active in bringing information and conveying my orders to distant 
points. Lieut. Kingsbury, in addition to his proper duties as ordnance 
officer, Capt. Chilton, Assistant Quartermaster, and Majors Dix and 
Coffee, served also as extra aids-de-camp, and were actively employed 
in the transmission of orders. Mr. Thomas L. Crittenden, of Ken- 
tucky, though not in service, volunteered as my aid-de-camp on this 
occasion, and served with credit in that capacity. Maj. Craig, chief 
of ordnance, and Surgeon Craig, medical director, had been detached 
on duty from headquarters, and did not reach the ground until the 
morning of the 24th — too late to participate in the action, but in time 
to render useful services in their respective departments of the staff. 
"I respectfully enclose returns of the troops engaged, and of 
casualties incident to the battle. 

" I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

"Z. Taylor, Maj. Gen. U. S. A. Comm'g. 
" The Adjutant General of the Army, Washington, D. C." 



BATTLE OF BUENA VISTA. 12 J 

The Mexican commander thus states the amount of his force. 

" The force consisted of 13,432 infantry, divided into 28 battalions; 
4,338 cavalry, in 39 squadrons ; and a train of artillery, of three 24- 
pounders, three 16-pounders, five 12-pounders, five 8-pounders, and a 
7-inch howitzer, all served by 413 artillerymen— the total bein^ 
18,133 men. Of this force there remained behind, the garrison of 
the works at San Luis, and others which I allotted to towns on the 
route ; as also two squadrons to escort our small and only reserve of 
ammunition; a brigade of infantry, of two battalions, under General 
Don Ciriaco Vasquez, which remained as a corps of reserve in Mate- 
huala, and of observation upon Tula ; as also a brigade of cavalry, 
under Gen. Don Jose Urrea. The latter was intended to pass Tula,' 
and move through Tamaulipas to the neighborhood of Monterey, so 
as to call the enemy's attention to that quarter. 






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